This volume discusses popular methods to achieve different types of mutagenesis and forward/reverse genetics in Medicago truncatula. Several studies on genetic control of developmental and metabolic processes in this model legume are also described. The chapters in this book cover topics such as Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING), Fast Neutron Bombardment (FNB), Tnt1 insertional mutagenesis, Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS), stable inactivation of microRNAs in roots, gene editing by CRISPR-Cas9, etc. This book also contains reviews on the specific use of these techniques in functional studies on the genetic control of seed, leaf, root, nodule, floral and fruit development in M. truncatula. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters contain the kind of detailed description and implementation advice needed to promote success in the lab. Cutting-edge and thorough, Functional Genomics in Medicago truncatula: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this developing field.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of deliberations on whole genome sequencing of the diploid and tetraploid alfalfa genomes including sequence assembly, gene annotation, and comparative genomics with the model legume genome, functional genomics, and genomics of important agronomic characters. Other chapters describe the genetic diversity and germplasm collections of alfalfa, as well as development of genetic markers and genome-wide association and genomic selection for economical important traits, genome editing, genomics, and breeding targets to address current and future needs. Altogether, the book contains about 300 pages over 16 chapters authored by globally reputed experts on the relevant field in this crop. This book is useful to the students, teachers, and scientists in the academia and relevant private companies interested in genetics, breeding, pathology, physiology, molecular genetics and breeding, biotechnology, and structural and functional genomics. The work is also useful to seed and forage industries.

This book sheds new light on the chickpea genome sequencing and resequencing of chickpea germplasm lines and provides insights into classical genetics, cytogenetics, and trait mapping. It also offers an overview of the latest advances in genome sequencing and analysis. The growing human population, rapid climate changes and limited amounts of arable land are creating substantial challenges in connection with the availability and affordability of nutritious food for smallholder farmers in developing countries. In this context, climate smart crops are essential to alleviating the hunger of the millions of poor and undernourished people living in developing countries. In addition to cereals, grain legumes are an integral part of the human diet and provide sustainable income for smallholder farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Among grain legumes, the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is the second most important in terms of production and productivity. Besides being a rich source of proteins, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with rhizobia and increase the input of combined nitrogen. Several abiotic stresses like drought, heat, salinity, together with biotic stresses like Fusarium wilt, Ascochyta blight, and Botrytis grey mould have led to production losses, as the chickpeas is typically grown in the harsh climates of our planet’s semi-arid regions.

''A wealth of information...these two volumes will be immensely valuable to anyone having to deal with this difficult group of compounds.'' ---Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, from a review of Saponins Used in Traditional and Modern Medicine and Saponins Used in Food and Agriculture

This volume provides protocols that revolve around three pillars of progress in the plant genomics field: genotypes, phenotypes, and the molecular processes in between. Chapters in Plant Genomics: Methods and Protocols are not restricted to the predominant model species Arabidopsis thaliana, hoping to encourage and facilitate other researchers to expand their research to other species. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Plant Genomics: Methods and Protocols aims to serve as an inspiration for further studies in plant genomics.

Fully covers the biology, biochemistry, genetics, and genomics of Medicago truncatula Model plant species are valuable not only because they lead to discoveries in basic biology, but also because they provide resources that facilitate translational biology to improve crops of economic importance. Plant scientists are drawn to models because of their ease of manipulation, simple genome organization, rapid life cycles, and the availability of multiple genetic and genomic tools. This reference provides comprehensive coverage of the Model Legume Medicago truncatula. It features review chapters as well as research chapters describing experiments carried out by the authors with clear materials and methods. Most of the chapters utilize advanced molecular techniques and biochemical analyses to approach a variety of aspects of the Model. The Model Legume Medicago truncatula starts with an examination of M. truncatula plant development; biosynthesis of natural products; stress and M. truncatula; and the M. truncatula-Sinorhizobium meliloti symbiosis. Symbiosis of Medicago truncatula with arbuscular mycorrhiza comes next, followed by chapters on the common symbiotic signaling pathway (CSSP or SYM) and infection events in the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. Other sections look at hormones and the rhizobial and mycorrhizal symbioses; autoregulation of nodule numbers (AON) in M. truncatula; Medicago truncatula databases and computer programs; and more. Contains reviews, original research chapters, and methods Covers most aspects of the M. truncatula Model System, including basic biology, biochemistry, genetics, and genomics of this system Offers molecular techniques and advanced biochemical analyses for approaching a variety of aspects of the Model Legume Medicago truncatula Includes introductions by the editor to each section, presenting the summary of selected chapters in the section Features an extensive index, to facilitate the search for key terms The Model Legume Medicago truncatula is an excellent book for researchers and upper level graduate students in microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, plant genetics and biochemistry. It will also benefit legume biologists, plant molecular biologists, agrobiologists, plant breeders, bioinformaticians, and evolutionary biologists.

This book examines the application of soybean genome sequences to comparative, structural, and functional genomics. Since the availability of the soybean genome sequence has revolutionized molecular research on this important crop species, the book also describes how the genome sequence has shaped research on transposon biology and applications for gene identification, tilling and positional gene cloning. Further, the book shows how the genome sequence influences research in the areas of genetic mapping, marker development, and genome-wide association mapping for identifying important trait genes and soybean breeding. In closing, the economic and botanical aspects of the soybean are also addressed.