This book provides insights into some of the key achievements made in the study of Lotus japonicus (birdsfoot trefoil), as well as a timely overview of topics that are pertinent for future developments in legume genomics. Key topics covered include endosymbiosis, development, hormone regulation, carbon/nitrogen and secondary metabolism, as well as advances made in high-throughput genomic and genetic approaches. Research focusing on model plants has underpinned the recent growth in plant genomics and genetics and provided a basis for investigations of major crop species. In the legume family Fabaceae, groundbreaking genetic and genomic research has established a significant body of knowledge on Lotus japonicus, which was adopted as a model species more than 20 years ago. The diverse nature of legumes means that such research has a wide potential and agricultural impact, for example, on the world’s protein production.

This book provides insights into some of the key achievements made in the study of Lotus japonicus (birdsfoot trefoil), as well as a timely overview of topics that are pertinent for future developments in legume genomics. Key topics covered include endosymbiosis, development, hormone regulation, carbon/nitrogen and secondary metabolism, as well as advances made in high-throughput genomic and genetic approaches. Research focusing on model plants has underpinned the recent growth in plant genomics and genetics and provided a basis for investigations of major crop species. In the legume family Fabaceae, groundbreaking genetic and genomic research has established a significant body of knowledge on Lotus japonicus, which was adopted as a model species more than 20 years ago. The diverse nature of legumes means that such research has a wide potential and agricultural impact, for example, on the world's protein production.

Genome sequence studies have become more and more important for plant breeding. Brassicas and Legumes: From Genome Structure to Breeding comprises 16 chapters and presents both an overview and the latest results of this rapidly expanding field. Topics covered include: genome analysis of a flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana; the sequence of the Arabidopsis genome as a tool for comparative structural genomics in Brassicaceae; application of molecular markers in Brassica coenospecies; the molecular genetic basis of flowering time variation in Brassica species; quantitative trait loci for clubroot resistance in Brassica oleracea; structural differences of S locus between Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa; Brassica and legume chromosomes; sequence analysis of the Lotus japonicus genome; introduction of an early flowering accession Miyakojima MG-20 to molecular genetics in Lotus japonicus; genetic linkage map of the model legume Lotus japonicus; construction of a high quality genome library of Lotus japonicus; genome analysis of Mesorhizobium loti: a symbiotic partner to Lotus japonicus; molecular linkage map of the model legume Medicago truncatula; genetic mapping of seed and nodule protein markers in diploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa); mapping the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genome: localization of fungal resistance genes in interspecific crosses.

"

Genome sequence studies have become more and more important for plant breeding. Brassicas and Legumes: From Genome Structure to Breeding comprises 16 chapters and presents both an overview and the latest results of this rapidly expanding field. Topics covered include: genome analysis of a flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana; the sequence of the Arabidopsis genome as a tool for comparative structural genomics in Brassicaceae; application of molecular markers in Brassica coenospecies; the molecular genetic basis of flowering time variation in Brassica species; quantitative trait loci for clubroot resistance in Brassica oleracea; structural differences of S locus between Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa; Brassica and legume chromosomes; sequence analysis of the Lotus japonicus genome; introduction of an early flowering accession ‘Miyakojima’ MG-20 to molecular genetics in Lotus japonicus; genetic linkage map of the model legume Lotus japonicus; construction of a high quality genome library of Lotus japonicus; genome analysis of Mesorhizobium loti: a symbiotic partner to Lotus japonicus; molecular linkage map of the model legume Medicago truncatula; genetic mapping of seed and nodule protein markers in diploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa); mapping the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genome: localization of fungal resistance genes in interspecific crosses.