Molecular Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) Gene Pool Reveals Two Independent Routes of Domestication

Abstract

In this study, genetic diversity and structure of 474 cultivated and 19 wild lablab (Lablab purpureus) accessions. were determined using 15 nuclear and 6 chloroplast SSR markers. The overall gene diversity was relatively low (0.3441). Gene diversity in the wild accessions (0.6059) was about two-folds greater than that in the cultivated accessions. In the wild accessions, gene diversity was greatest in the southern Africa, followed by East Africa. In the cultivated accessions, gene diversity was highest in the eastern Africa. The results suggested that South Africa is the center of origin and East Africa is the center of domestication of lablab. Different cluster analyses showed that 2-seeded-pod cultivated accessions (ssp. uncinatus) were clustered with wild accessions and that 4–(6)-seeded-pod cultivated accessions (ssp. purpureus and bengalensis) were intermingled. UPGMA tree suggested that ssp. purpureus and bengalensis were domesticated from 4-seeded-pod wild accessions of southern Africa. Haplotype network analysis based on nuclear SSRs revealed two domestication routes; the ssp. uncinatus is domesticated from 2-seeded-pod wild lablab (wild spp. uncinatus) from East Africa (Ethiopia), while the ssp. purpureus and bengalensis are domesticated from 4-seeded-pod wild lablab from Central Africa (Rwanda). These results are useful for understanding domestication and revising classification of lablab.

A population genomics approach to unlock the genetic potential of lablab (Lablab purpureus), an underutilized tropical forage crop

“…uncinatus which could partly explains its segregation from the rest of 4-seeded accessions. Kongjaimun et al [12] reported that some of the 4-seeded lablab accessions are closely related to wild 2-seeded accessions and this could be a similar result. Both hierarchical and PCA clustering, based on a SNP marker dataset, revealed high similarity among the panel, though sourced from different genebanks which implies possible duplication in the panel.…”

“…A previous core collection analysis in lablab revealed a similar trend where only 47 accessions (ca. 10%) represented a panel of nearly 500 lablab accessions [12].…”

Genetic Relationships of 118 Castanea Specific Germplasms and Construction of Their Molecular ID Based on Morphological Characteristics and SSR Markers

“…Population structure, NJ cluster analysis, and principal coordinate analysis are effective means to study the genetic diversity, kinship, and genetic background of plant germplasm resources and are critical bases for protecting and utilizing plant germplasm resources. Many studies have been conducted on the population structure of plants [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], and related studies have also been reported in Castanea plants. For example, Jiang et al (2017) [ 25 ] analyzed the genetic structure of 95 Chinese chestnut cultivars using 41 SSR loci and classified 95 Chinese chestnut cultivars into three taxa.…”

A de novo chromosome-scale assembly of the Lablab purpureus genome

“…Lablab (also known as hyacinth bean; Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) is an important tropical legume crop of the world. Cultivated extensively as field and vegetable crops by small-scale farmers across tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and Asia, lablab serves various purposes, including forage, cover, and green manure crops ( Kongjaimun et al., 2023 ). Its resilience to diverse soil types and climates, including tolerance to drought, salinity, and high temperatures ( Pengelly and Maass, 2001 ), makes it a crucial crop species for global food security.…”

“…Amidst growing concerns regarding climate change and an expanding global population, there has been a concerted effort in recent years to explore underutilized crops for food security. Due to its high nutrition, multi-purposed uses and drought tolerance, lablab emerges as a promising legume species for ensuring food and nutritional security in tropical and subtropical regions ( Kongjaimun et al., 2023 ). However, despite its long history of domestication, lablab still lacks certain desirable domestication and agronomic traits thereby reducing its overall agronomic value.…”