Advances in genome mapping in orphan grain legumes of genus Vigna

Abstract

The genus Vigna contains many important grain legumes that provide an inexpensive source of dietary protein for humans. With recent advancement in molecular marker technology, there has been a surge in the genome mapping studies in crop plants. Although, a significant amount of genetic studies has been carried out in Vigna species, genome mapping research in Vigna species is far behind the other major grain legumes such as common bean and soybean.This article presents a comprehensive review on the recent advances in genome mapping research in Vigna species with emphasis on four important grain legumes viz., cowpea, mungbean, azuki bean and blackgram. The reviewed areas include genetic linkage maps, comparative genome mapping, genes/QTLs mapping for agronomically important traits and availability of genomic resources, which can be used to accelerate molecular breeding in genus Vigna.