Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 187-198 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 187 Feature Review Open Access Phylogenetic Relationships and Genetic Diversity among Domesticated Legumes Xiaoxi Zhou1, Shengyu Chen2 1 Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College, Zhejiang AandF University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: shengyu.chen@cuixi.org Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0019 Received: 08 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 09 Aug., 2024 Published: 20 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou and Chen, 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: Zhou X.X., and Chen S.Y., 2024, Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among domesticated legumes, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(4): 187-198 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0019) Abstract The study of domesticated legumes holds significant importance due to their role in global food security and sustainable agriculture. The study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among major domesticated legume species. Initially, the study presents a historical perspective on legume domestication, drawing on archaeological and evolutionary evidence. Subsequently, the study explores phylogenetic relationships using molecular markers and computational approaches, focusing on species such as the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens culinaris), and soybean (Glycine max). The genetic diversity within and between these species is examined, highlighting sources of variation and their implications for crop improvement and conservation. A detailed case study on the common bean underscores the practical applications of phylogenetic and genetic diversity insights. Additionally, the study discusses the molecular tools and techniques employed in these studies, including high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The environmental and agricultural implications of genetic diversity and phylogenetics are considered, emphasizing their impact on crop resilience and sustainable agricultural practices. Finally, the study outlines future research directions and challenges, advocating for an integrative approach that combines traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques. This comprehensive study underscores the critical role of understanding phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity in advancing legume crop productivity and sustainability. Keywords Domesticated legumes; Phylogenetics; Genetic diversity; Crop improvement; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Legumes, belonging to the Fabaceae family, are of paramount importance both economically and nutritionally. They represent the second most significant family of crop plants after the Poaceae family, contributing substantially to global food security and agricultural sustainability. Grain legumes alone account for 27% of the world's crop production and provide 33% of the dietary protein consumed by humans. Additionally, pasture and forage legumes are vital for animal feed, underscoring their multifaceted role in agriculture (Smýkal et al., 2015). The domestication of legumes dates back to ancient civilizations, with crops such as soybean, chickpea, lentil, and common bean being among the earliest cultivated plants. These crops have been integral to human diets and agricultural systems across various regions, including China, the Fertile Crescent, Africa, and the Americas (Raina et al., 2019). Understanding the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among domesticated legumes is crucial for several reasons. Phylogenetics provides insights into the evolutionary history and relationships among different legume species, which is essential for tracing their domestication pathways and identifying genetic traits that have been selected over time (Jansen et al., 2008; Schmutz et al., 2014). Genetic diversity, on the other hand, is a key factor in crop improvement programs. It allows for the identification of valuable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and nutritional quality, which can be harnessed to develop superior legume varieties through breeding programs (Varshney et al., 2013; Gujaria-Verma et al., 2014; Varshney, 2016). Advances in genomic technologies have facilitated the sequencing of complete genomes of several legume species, providing a wealth of data that can be used to explore genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in greater detail (Kreplak et al., 2019).
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