Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.5, 252-260 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 252 Research Insight Open Access Comparative Genomics of Lupinus Species: Implications for Crop Improvement Dandan Huang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: dandan.huang@hibio.org Field Crop, 2024, Vol.7, No.5 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0025 Received: 08 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 19 Aug., 2024 Published: 09 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang D.D., 2024, Comparative genomics of Lupinus species: implications for crop improvement, Field Crop, 7(5): 252-260 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0025) Abstract Lupinus species, with their agricultural and ecological importance, have attracted growing interest in genomic research due to their potential for crop improvement. Comparative genomics offers insights into the genetic diversity and adaptability of Lupinus species, paving the way for enhanced breeding programs. This study focuses on analyzing the genomic diversity within the Lupinus genus and applying comparative genomic approaches to uncover key genetic features relevant to agronomic traits, such as drought resistance, nutritional enhancement, and disease resistance. Through the use of advanced genomic tools, including sequencing technologies and gene-editing methods like CRISPR, this study provides an in-depth look into how genetic variations across different Lupinus species can be leveraged for crop improvement. A case study on Lupinus albus highlights the practical application of these insights, emphasizing the potential for region-specific improvements. Despite current challenges in Lupinus genomics, this study suggests strategies to overcome these hurdles and outlines future directions for advancing crop improvement through comparative genomics. Keywords Lupinus species; Comparative genomics; Crop improvement; Genetic diversity; Genomic tools 1 Introduction Lupinus species, commonly known as lupins, are significant grain legume crops that play a crucial role in sustainable farming systems. They are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and improves soil health (Hane et al., 2016). Lupins are also valued for their high protein and dietary fiber content, making them a nutritious food source for both humans and livestock (Valente et al., 2023). The adaptability of lupins to a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions further enhances their agricultural importance, allowing them to thrive in environments where other crops may not be viable (Martin et al., 2014; Msaddak et al., 2023). Genomics, the study of an organism's complete set of DNA, including all of its genes, has revolutionized crop improvement by providing insights into the genetic basis of important traits (Zhou and Chen, 2024). Advances in genomic technologies, such as whole genome sequencing and the development of genetic linkage maps, have enabled researchers to identify genes associated with key agronomic traits, such as disease resistance, yield, and stress tolerance (Yang et al., 2013; Garg et al., 2022). In lupins, genomic studies have revealed significant information about their evolutionary history, gene families, and the mechanisms underlying their unique traits, such as nonmycorrhizal phosphorus acquisition and nitrogen fixation (Lambers et al., 2013; Czyż et al., 2020). These insights are critical for developing improved lupin cultivars with enhanced productivity and resilience. This study conducts a comparative genomic analysis of various species of Lupinus to identify genetic factors for crop improvement, uncovering candidate genes associated with desirable traits such as high protein content, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability, including the sequencing and analysis of the Lupinus genome, identification of key genetic markers, and exploration of gene expression patterns related to important agronomic traits, with the aim of providing valuable genomic resources to accelerate Lupinus breeding programs and contribute to the development of superior Lupinus varieties for sustainable agriculture. 2 Genomic Diversity inLupinus Species 2.1 Overview of the Lupinus genus and its species The Lupinus genus, commonly known as lupins, comprises a diverse group of leguminous plants known for their high protein content and adaptability to various environmental conditions. Lupins are cultivated globally, with
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