Vignette of Vigna domestication: From archives to genomics

Abstract

The genus Vigna comprises fast-growing, diploid legumes, cultivated in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. It comprises more than 200 species among which Vigna angularis, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Vigna aconitifolia, Vigna umbellata, Vigna unguiculata, and Vigna vexillata are of enormous agronomic importance. Human selection along with natural variability within these species encompasses a vital source for developing new varieties. The present review convokes the early domestication history of Vigna species based on archeological pieces of evidence and domestication-related traits (DRTs) together with genetics of domestication. Traces of early domestication of Vigna have been evidenced to spread across several temperate and tropical regions of Africa, Eastern Asia, and few parts of Europe. Several DRTs of Vigna species, such as pod shattering, pod and seed size, dormancy, seed coat, seed color, maturity, and pod dehiscence, can clearly differentiate wild species from their domesticates. With the advancement in next-generation high-throughput sequencing techniques, exploration of genetic variability using recently released reference genomes along with de novo sequencing of Vigna species have provided a framework to perform genome-wide association and functional studies to figure out different genes related to DRTs. In this review, genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to DRTs of different Vigna species have also been summarized. Information provided in this review will enhance the in-depth understanding of the selective pressures that causes crop domestication along with nature of evolutionary selection made in unexplored Vigna species. Furthermore, correlated archeological and domestication-related genetic evidence will facilitate Vigna species to be considered as suitable model plants.

Nutritional status of Zombi pea (Vigna vexillata) as influenced by plant density and deblossoming

“…The starch and sugar content were determined through Spectrophotometer by phenol–sulphuric acid reagent method as per the protocol depicted by Stickland and Wilson 30 and Weng et al 26 with minor alterations.…”

“…Standard error of mean (SEm ±) and critical difference (CD) at 5 percent level of significance were worked out for each character. The interaction analysis among different nutrient components and plant spacing was estimated using R programming software 26 .…”

“…Among the various domesticated species of Vigna , tuber cowpea is one of the least researched crops for its genetic resources, and production technologies, especially in the Indian subcontinent 26 . This crop is gaining popularity gradually, and researchers have identified the QTLs associated with domestication syndrome 13 , 27 .…”

Multivariate Analysis of Biochemical Properties Reveals Diversity among Yardlong Beans of Different Origins

“…Currently, genetic breeding methods are being used to improve the nutritional content, productivity, and disease resistance of various legumes, including those belonging to the genus Vigna. These initiatives also seek to tackle global food security issues and improve human health [12,24]. In this regard, understanding the diversity of plant genetic materials is essential to comprehend their overall phenotypic characteristics and set the foundation for future genomics research.…”