The Pigeonpea Genome: An Overview

Abstract

First two decades of twenty-first century have witnessed a number of advances in genetics and genomics research of pigeonpea. These advances have enhanced our understanding of structural and functional aspects of genome and also provided us opportunities to deal with constraints impeding production of pigeonpea in precise and faster manner. Availability of the draft genome sequence and large-scale molecular markers has made it possible to map traits of interest in speedy manner. Although germplasm re-sequencing has already been started in pigeonpea, large-scale germplasm including elite breeding line, landraces and wild species is expected to be fully sequenced very soon. These sequencing efforts coupled with functional genomics and systems biology will facilitate the identification of genes/gene networks that are involved in expression of agronomically valuable traits. For accelerating genetic gains in the crop breeding, selection efficiency needs to be enhanced by integrating modern genomics in breeding efforts. This book provides a critical assessment on current status as well as future prospects on different aspects of genome, trait mapping, germplasm research and genomics-assisted breeding. This chapter introduces and provides highlights of different chapters of the book.