Draft genome sequence of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) provides a resource for trait improvement

Nat Biotechnol. 2013 Mar;31(3):240-6. doi: 10.1038/nbt.2491. Epub 2013 Jan 27.

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is the second most widely grown legume crop after soybean, accounting for a substantial proportion of human dietary nitrogen intake and playing a crucial role in food security in developing countries. We report the ∼738-Mb draft whole genome shotgun sequence of CDC Frontier, a kabuli chickpea variety, which contains an estimated 28,269 genes. Resequencing and analysis of 90 cultivated and wild genotypes from ten countries identifies targets of both breeding-associated genetic sweeps and breeding-associated balancing selection. Candidate genes for disease resistance and agronomic traits are highlighted, including traits that distinguish the two main market classes of cultivated chickpea--desi and kabuli. These data comprise a resource for chickpea improvement through molecular breeding and provide insights into both genome diversity and domestication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Cicer / genetics
  • Cicer / physiology*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • Disease Resistance
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome, Plant / physiology*
  • Genotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA