Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 244-256 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 246 important crops. The scope of translational genomics encompasses gene discovery, functional genomics, and the development of genetic markers, all of which contribute to crop improvement in terms of yield, resilience, and stress tolerance (Huang, 2024). Figure 1 “Omics” and emerging novel breeding approaches for improving genetic gain in underutilized legumes (Adopted from Jha et al., 2022) 3.2 Model legumes as genomic tools: Medicago truncatula andLotus japonicus Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus have been established as model legumes due to their favorable genetic attributes, such as small genome sizes, diploid nature, and ease of transformation. These species have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of legume-specific processes like nitrogen fixation, nodulation, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The availability of comprehensive genomic resources, including genome sequences and functional genomics tools, has made these model legumes invaluable for studying plant development, stress responses, and plant-microbe interactions (Thoquet et al., 2002; Rose et al., 2008; Cañas and Beltrán, 2018). 3.3 Translating discoveries from models to crop legumes The genomic resources developed in Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus have significant potential for application in crop legumes. For instance, the synteny between the genomes of M. truncatula and economically important legumes facilitates the transfer of genomic information, aiding in marker development, gene discovery, and positional cloning in crops like alfalfa and pea. This translational approach accelerates the identification of candidate genes and the development of genetic markers, which are crucial for breeding programs aimed at improving crop traits (Young and Udvardi, 2009; Bordat et al., 2011). 3.4 Case study: translational genomics from arabidopsis to soybean for drought tolerance A notable example of translational genomics is the application of knowledge from Arabidopsis thaliana to soybean for enhancing drought tolerance. Arabidopsis, a well-studied model plant, has provided insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying drought response. By identifying and characterizing drought-responsive genes in Arabidopsis, researchers have been able to pinpoint homologous genes in soybean. Functional validation and genetic manipulation of these genes in soybean have led to the development of drought-tolerant varieties, demonstrating the power of translational genomics in addressing critical agricultural challenges (Roy et al., 2019).
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