Comparison of the Pattern of Crop Domestication between Two Asian Beans, Azuki Bean (Vigna angularis) and Rice Bean (V. umbellata)

Abstract

Azuki bean (Vigna angularis) and rice bean (V. umbellata) are locally important legumes that were domesticated in Asia. They are genetically closely related and therefore suitable for comparative genomics studies. The center of genetic diversity of azuki bean is in East Asia and it was most probably domesticated in Japan based on the archaeobotanical and genetic evidences. The center of genetic diversity and domestication of rice bean is in Southeast Asia. The domestication of rice bean involved fewer gene (QTLs) mutations with larger genetic effects than azuki bean. The distribution of major domestication genes in rice bean is limited to two linkage groups compared with five in azuki bean. In azuki bean the major domestication genes are abundantly detected on linkage group 9 (LG9), while in rice bean they were found on LG4. Surprisingly, many species specific QTLs were detected such as azuki bean's erect stem QTL on LG9 and rice bean's seed size increase QTL on LG4. Such species specific QTLs suggest the possibility that rice bean and azuki bean can provide novel genes for breeding. Comparative genomics among closely related species is an efficient way to find novel genes for breeding.

Major Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity and Antidiabetic Potential of Rice Bean (Vigna umbellata L.) in China

“…Among all of the studied rice beans, the D0000090 (843.75 ± 30.15 μg/g) variety possessed the highest TP, which was 6.9 times greater than that of the D0000318 variety (123.09 ± 10.35 μg/g). Rice bean ( Vigna umbellate ) and adzuki bean ( Vigna angularis ) are phylogenetically closely related, and have low level of divergence based on nucleotide sequences, seed proteins and isozymes [ 21 , 22 ]. Due to absence of reported studies on the phytochemicals and biological activities of the rice bean, we have had to compare some of the data with those reported in adzuki beans.…”

Rice, beans and trade crops on the early maritime Silk Route in Southeast Asia

“…Genomic studies suggest domestication in northern Thailand, where the wild progenitor Vigna umbellata var. gracilis is found and the greatest genetic diversity occurs (Isemura et al 2011). Although rice bean is consumed in modern-day India by tribes in the eastern and north-eastern mountainous areas (Arora et al 1980), it is more important in Burma and farther east.…”

“…Rice bean is a traditional crop in Southeast and East Asia (Isemura et al . 2011). Genomic studies suggest domestication in northern Thailand, where the wild progenitor Vigna umbellata var.…”

“…gracili s is found and the greatest genetic diversity occurs (Isemura et al . 2011). Although rice bean is consumed in modern-day India by tribes in the eastern and north-eastern mountainous areas (Arora et al .…”

A Gender Analysis on the Involvement of Farmers in Rice-bean (Vigna umbellata) Production Activities in the Selected Regions of Nyanza, Kenya

“…Rice-bean occurs in three varieties based on their growth habit namely; erect, semi-erect, or twinning, and usually grows 30-100cm but it can grow up to 200cm [1]. The origin of the rice bean is traced to Indochina and some neighboring regions like Thailand where it was domesticated [2]. It does well in a wide range of soils including and not limited to: shallow, infertile, or degraded soils, however, highly fertile soil may deter pod formation and reduce the yield of seeds [3].…”