Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 37-44 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 37 Feature Review Open Access Impact of Whole Genome Duplication Events on the Diversification of Legumes Weiliang Shen, Yupin Huang, Ruchuan Chen, Hangming Lin Tropical Legume Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: hangming.lin@hitar.org Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0005 Received: 12 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 13 Feb., 2024 Published: 24 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Shen et al., 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: Shen W.L., Huang Y.P., Chen R.C., and Lin H.M., 2024, Impact of whole genome duplication events on the diversification of legumes, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(1): 37-44 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0005) Abstract This study aims to explore the role of whole genome duplication (WGD) events in the evolutionary history and diversification of legumes. It seeks to summarize the mechanisms, historical occurrences, and impacts of WGD on genetic diversity, ecological adaptation, and agricultural significance in legumes. The study identifies key WGD events in the evolutionary timeline of legumes and discusses their mechanisms, including autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy. It highlights the significant genetic and evolutionary consequences of WGD, such as enhanced genetic variation, novel trait development, and increased adaptability to diverse environments. Additionally, it examines the impact of WGD on legume diversification at both the ecological and functional levels, noting specific examples within major legume subfamilies. Whole genome duplication events have played a crucial role in shaping the evolutionary trajectory and diversification of legumes. These events have contributed to genetic innovation, ecological niche expansion, and the development of economically important traits. The study emphasizes the importance of further research to fully understand the functional implications of WGD and its potential applications in legume breeding and conservation. Keywords Whole genome duplication (WGD); Legume diversification; Genetic diversity; Evolutionary adaptation; Agricultural significance 1 Introduction The legume family, Fabaceae, is the third-largest family of angiosperms and holds significant economic and ecological importance. Legumes are the second-most-important crop family, providing essential nutrients and serving as a key source of biological nitrogen in agriculture (Young and Bharti, 2012; Vlasova et al., 2016). The family includes agriculturally vital species such as soybeans, common beans, and peanuts, which are crucial for global food security and sustainable agricultural practices. The ability of legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria enhances soil fertility, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting environmentally friendly farming (Young and Bharti, 2012; Cannon et al., 2015). Whole genome duplication (WGD) refers to events where an organism's entire genome is duplicated, resulting in polyploidy. These events can be categorized into autopolyploidy, where the duplication occurs within a single species, and allopolyploidy, where it involves hybridization between different species. WGDs have played a pivotal role in the evolution of plants, contributing to genetic diversity, speciation, and the development of novel traits (Young and Bharti, 2012; Cannon et al., 2015). In legumes, multiple WGD events have been identified, including a significant event approximately 58 million years ago that is shared by most agriculturally important legumes (Young and Bharti, 2012; Vlasova et al., 2016). These duplications have led to gene fractionation, subfunctionalization, and neofunctionalization, which have been instrumental in shaping legume genomes and their unique characteristics (Young and Bharti, 2012; Vlasova et al., 2016). This study is to explore the impact of whole genome duplication events on the diversification of legumes. This study synthesize current knowledge on the timing, occurrence, and evolutionary consequences of WGDs in legumes, with a particular focus on their role in the development of legume-specific traits and their ecological and agricultural significance. Understanding the influence of WGDs on legume diversification is crucial for
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