Adapting legume crops to climate change using genomic approaches

Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh, Philipp E. Bayer, James K. Hane, Valliyodan Babu, Henry T. Nguyen, Matthew N. Nelson, William Erskine, Rajeev K. Varshney, Roberto Papa, David Edwards

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

75 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Our agricultural system and hence food security is threatened by combination of events, such as increasing population, the impacts of climate change and the need to a more sustainable development. Evolutionary adaptation may help some species to overcome environmental changes through new selection pressures driven by climate change. However, success of evolutionary adaptation is dependent on various factors, one of which is the extent of genetic variation available within species. Genomic approaches provide an exceptional opportunity to identify genetic variation that can be employed in crop improvement programs. In this review, we illustrate some of the routinely used genomics-based methods as well as recent breakthroughs, which facilitate assessment of genetic variation and discovery of adaptive genes in legumes. While additional information is needed, the current utility of selection tools indicate a robust ability to utilize existing variation among legumes to address the challenges of climate uncertainty. Summary: Agriculture is facing a combination of factors that threaten global food security. In this review, we discuss some of the routinely used genomics-based methods as well as recent breakthroughs that can help adapting legume crops to climate change by facilitating assessment of genetic variation and discovery of adaptive genes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-19
Number of pages14
JournalPlant Cell and Environment
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jan 2019

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