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Shifting from a livestock-based protein diet to a plant-based protein diet has been proposed as an essential requirement to maintain global food sustainability, which requires the increased production of protein-rich crops for direct human consumption. Meanwhile, the lack of sufficient genetic diversity in crop varieties is an increasing concern for sustainable food supplies. Countering this concern requires a clear understanding of the domestication process and dynamics. Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) has experienced rapid domestication and has become a new legume crop over the past century, with the potential to provide protein-rich seeds. Here, using long-read whole-genome sequencing, we assembled the third-generation reference genome for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar Tanjil, comprising 20 chromosomes with a total genome size of 615.8 Mb and contig N50 = 5.65 Mb. We characterized the original mutation and putative biological pathway resulting in low seed alkaloid level that initiated the recent domestication of narrow-leafed lupin. We identified a 1133-bp insertion in the cis-regulatory region of a putative gene that may be associated with reduced pod shattering (lentus). A comparative analysis of genomic diversity in cultivars and wild types identified an apparent domestication bottleneck, as precisely predicted by the original model of the bottleneck effect on genetic variability in populations. Our results identify the key domestication genetic loci and provide direct genomic evidence for a domestication bottleneck, and open up the possibility of knowledge-driven de novo domestication of wild plants as an avenue to broaden crop plant diversity to enhance food security and sustainable low-carbon emission agriculture.

Additional file 2. Ethical approval notice.

Additional file 3. Clinicopathological characteristics of fifteen patients.

Additional file 7. Certificate of language modification.

Over the last 60 years the Australian lupin industry has emerged to become the largest producer in the world, accounting for 85% of global lupin seed market. This progress was achieved by the rapid domestication process of the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) as a grain legume crop. Narrow-leafed lupin improvement has been based on the identification of donors carrying desirable alleles conferring particular agronomic traits and, subsequently, their orchestrated transfer by classical genetic approaches into domesticated germplasm. These traits include, among others, reduced pod shattering, low alkaloid content, seed water permeability, early flowering, and resistance to diseases caused by pathogenic fungi: anthracnose (Colletotrichum lupini) and Phomopsis stem blight (Diaporthe toxica). Moreover, some of these traits are related with recessive alleles requiring additional breeding effort. To facilitate selection of desirable genotypes in the progenies and cross derivatives, molecular markers linked to particular trait loci were developed and implemented in Australian breeding program.

Plenty of molecular markers have been developed by contemporary sequencing technologies, whereas few of them are successfully applied in breeding, thus we present a review on how sequencing can facilitate marker-assisted selection in plant breeding. The growing global population and shrinking arable land area require efficient plant breeding. Novel strategies assisted by certain markers have proven effective for genetic gains. Fortunately, cutting-edge sequencing technologies bring us a deluge of genomes and genetic variations, enlightening the potential of marker development. However, a large gap still exists between the potential of molecular markers and actual plant breeding practices. In this review, we discuss marker-assisted breeding from a historical perspective, describe the road from crop sequencing to breeding, and highlight how sequencing facilitates the application of markers in breeding practice.

An ultra-high density genetic map containing 34,574 sequence-defined markers was developed in Lupinus angustifolius. Markers closely linked to nine genes of agronomic traits were identified. A physical map was improved to cover 560.5 Mb genome sequence. Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is a recently domesticated legume grain crop. In this study, we applied the restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) method to genotype an F9 recombinant inbred line population derived from a wild type × domesticated cultivar (W × D) cross. A high density linkage map was developed based on the W × D population. By integrating sequence-defined DNA markers reported in previous mapping studies, we established an ultra-high density consensus genetic map, which contains 34,574 markers consisting of 3508 loci covering 2399 cM on 20 linkage groups. The largest gap in the entire consensus map was 4.73 cM. The high density W × D map and the consensus map were used to develop an improved physical map, which covered 560.5 Mb of genome sequence data. The ultra-high density consensus linkage map, the improved physical map and the markers linked to genes of breeding interest reported in this study provide a common tool for genome sequence assembly, structural genomics, comparative genomics, functional genomics, QTL mapping, and molecular plant breeding in lupin.

Selection for phomopsis stem blight disease (PSB) resistance is one of the key objectives in lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) breeding programs. A cross was made between cultivar Tanjil (resistant to PSB) and Unicrop (susceptible). The progeny was advanced into F(8) recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The RIL population was phenotyped for PSB disease resistance. Twenty plants from the RIL population representing disease resistance and susceptibility was subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based restriction site-associated DNA sequencing on the NGS platform Solexa HiSeq2000, which generated 7,241 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thirty-three SNP markers showed the correlation between the marker genotypes and the PSB disease phenotype on the 20 representative plants, which were considered as candidate markers linked to a putative R gene for PSB resistance. Seven candidate markers were converted into sequence-specific PCR markers, which were designated as PhtjM1, PhtjM2, PhtjM3, PhtjM4, PhtjM5, PhtjM6 and PhtjM7. Linkage analysis of the disease phenotyping data and marker genotyping data on a F(8) population containing 187 RILs confirmed that all the seven converted markers were associated with the putative R gene within the genetic distance of 2.1 CentiMorgan (cM). One of the PCR markers, PhtjM3, co-segregated with the R gene. The seven established PCR markers were tested in the 26 historical and current commercial cultivars released in Australia. The numbers of "false positives" (showing the resistance marker allele band but lack of the putative R gene) for each of the seven PCR markers ranged from nil to eight. Markers PhtjM4 and PhtjM7 are recommended in marker-assisted selection for PSB resistance in the Australian national lupin breeding program due to its wide applicability on breeding germplasm and close linkage to the putative R gene. The results demonstrated that application of NGS technology is a rapid and cost-effective approach in development of markers for molecular plant breeding.

With 1 figure and 4 tables Abstract Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is desirable for breeding non-shattering pods in narrow-leafed lupin and for facilitating the process of broadening the gene pool of existing domesticated Australian lupin cultivars. In this study, we developed a molecular marker using a strategy to incorporate the validation step during the candidate marker identification step by microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphisms (MFLP). Three MFLP polymorphisms showing banding patterns consistent with pod-shattering phenotypes on the 12 representative F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were identified as candidate markers linked to lentus. One of these three markers matching the lentus phenotypes on representative cultivars and wild accessions was selected and converted into a co-dominant PCR-based marker, named LeLi. When marker LeLi was applied to 25 cultivars released in Australia and 125 wild core accessions of the Australian Lupin Collection, an overall matching rate of 60.67% was found assuming correct determination of the phenotypes. This newly developed marker is simple PCR-based and co-dominant and can be used for MAS in current lupin breeding in Western Australia.

To broaden the gene pool of domesticated commercial cultivars of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), wild accessions are used as parents in crossing in lupin breeding. Among the progenies from wild × domesticated (W × D) crosses, the soft-seediness gene mollis is the most difficult domestication gene to be selected by conventional breeding methods, where molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) is highly desirable. MAS in plant breeding requires markers to be cost-effective and high-throughput, and be applicable to a wide range of crosses in a breeding program. In this study, representative plants from an F8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a W × D cross, together with four cultivars and four wild types, were used in DNA fingerprinting by microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphisms (MFLP). Two co-dominant MFLP polymorphisms were identified as candidate markers linked to the mollis gene, and one of the candidate markers was selected and converted into a co-dominant, sequence-specific PCR marker. This marker, designated MoLi, showed a perfect match with phenotypes of seed coat permeability on a segregating population consisting of 115 F8 RILs, confirming the close genetic linkage to the mollis gene. Validation tests showed that the banding pattern of marker MoLi is consistent with all the 25 historical and current commercial cultivars released in Australia, and is consistent with mollis genotypes in 119 of the 125 accessions in the Australian L. angustifolius core collection. Marker MoLi provides a cost-effective way to select the mollis gene in a wide range of W × D crosses in lupin breeding.

Waxflower is one of Australia's major native cut flowers for the export market. A number of interspecific hybrid cultivars such as the ‘Pearl’ series bred by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia have increased the competitiveness of waxflower on world markets. To improve the breeding efficiency, resistance gene analog polymorphisms (RGAP) are investigated as molecular markers for the early identification of interspecific hybrids between Chamelaucium uncinatum and C. megalopetalum. The results show that RGAP can be effectively applied to generate DNA markers to identify true waxflower hybrids. The RGAP marker system provides a reliable, simple, fast and inexpensive approach for hybrid identification in waxflower breeding.

The reduced pod shattering gene tardus is one of the most important domestication genes in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). In development of a molecular marker linked to the tardus gene, we incorporated the concept of marker validation during the initial candidate marker identification stage. Four dominant microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) markers were identified as candidate markers based on their banding patterns in an F8 recombination inbred line (RIL) population. One specific marker best correlating with phenotypes in the representative germplasm was selected and converted to a simple PCR-based marker. This established marker, designated as “TaLi”, is located at a distance of 1.4 cM from the tardus gene. DNA sequencing revealed six insertion/deletion sites between the non-shattering marker allele and the shattering marker allele. Validation of marker TaLi on 25 domesticated commercial cultivars and 125 accessions of the lupin core collection found a 94% marker and tardus phenotype match. Marker TaLi is the first simple PCR-based marker that can be widely used for non-shattering pod selection in narrow-leafed lupin breeding program.

Selection for anthracnose disease resistance is one of the top priorities in white lupin (Lupinus albus) breeding programs. A cross was made between a landrace P27174 (resistant to anthracnose) and a cultivar Kiev Mutant (susceptible). The progeny was advanced to F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Disease tests on the RIL population from field trials over 2 years indicated that the disease resistance in P27174 was polygenic controlled. A modified selective genotyping strategy was applied in the development of molecular markers linked to quantitative loci conferring anthracnose diseases resistance. Eight individual plants representing high level of anthracnose resistance (HR), eight plants representing susceptibility (S), together with eight lines representing medium level of anthracnose resistance (MR), were subjected to DNA fingerprinting by Microsatellite-anchored Fragment Length Polymorphisms (MFLP). Six MFLP polymorphisms, which had the banding pattern matching the HR plants and the S plants, were identified as candidate markers linked to quantitative loci conferring anthracnose resistance. The six candidate MFLP markers were delineated into three groups based on their banding variation on the eight MR plants. One candidate MFLP marker each from the three groups was selected, cloned, sequenced, and converted into co-dominant, sequence-specific PCR markers. These three markers, designated as WANR1, WANR2 and WANR3, were tested on a segregating population containing 189 F8 RILs. The disease phenotyping data and the marker genotyping data on the F8 RILs were merged and analysed by the JMP software using the ‘fit-model’ function, which revealed that 71% of the phenotypic variation was controlled by genetic factors, while the other 29% of the phenotypic variation was due to environmental factors and environment × genotype interactions. On individual marker basis, marker WANR1 conditioned 39% of phenotypic variations of anthracnose resistance, followed by marker WANR2 with 8%, and WANR3 with 12%. Further analysis showed that WANR2 and WANR3 were on the same linkage group with a genetic distance of 15.3 cM. The combination of the two markers WANR1 and WANR3 explained 51% out from the 71% of the genetic controlled variations for disease resistance, indicating that the two QTLs working additively for anthracnose disease resistance. A simulation of marker-assisted selection on the F8 RIL population using the two markers WANR1 and WANR3 identified 42 out of the 189 RILs being homozygous for resistance-allele bands for both markers, and 41 of them showed disease severity below 3.0 on the 1 (highly resistant) to 5 (susceptible) scale. The two markers WANR1 and WANR3 have now been implemented for marker-assisted selection for anthracnose resistance in the L. albus breeding program in Australia.

Zinc deficiency is a critical nutritional problem in soils, restricting yield and nutritional quality of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Some genotypes (Zn-efficient) can produce greater yield and accumulate more Zn in seed under Zn deficiency than standard (Zn-inefficient) genotypes. However, there is little information regarding the genetics of Zn uptake/accumulation and location of genes conferring Zn efficiency in barley. Selection through molecular markers for seed Zn accumulation might be an efficient complementary breeding tool in barley. With the aim of developing molecular markers for increased accumulation of Zn in seed, a population of 150 DH lines derived from a cross between Clipper (low-Zn-accumulator) and Sahara 3771 (high-Zn-accumulator) was screened in the field and glasshouse for seed Zn concentration and content. One dominant DNA polymorphism was detected using the microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) technique. The candidate MFLP marker was isolated from the MFLP gel, re-amplified by PCR, cloned, sequenced, and converted into simple sequence-specific and PCR-based marker. This marker, located on the short arm of chromosome 2H, might be useful for the improvement of barley nutritional quality and productivity programs in Zn-deficient environments. However, high seed Zn alone can not replace the need for Zn fertilization.

Seed pods of wild-type narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.) shatter upon maturity, dispersing their seeds. Recessive alleles of the genes Tardus and Lentus that confer reduced pod shattering have been incorporated into domesticated cultivars to facilitate harvesting. Tardus was mapped in an F8 recombinant inbred population of a cross between domesticated and wild lupins. A microsatellite–anchored fragment length polymorphism marker (TaM1), which mapped 2.1 cM from Tardus, was converted to a locus-specific PCR assay. Marker TaM2, a restriction fragment length polymorphism marker was converted to a PCR assay and mapped to 3.9 cM on the other side of Tardus. Marker TaM3, a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker, was positioned along-side marker TaM1 at 3.9 cM from Tardus. One or more markers was polymorphic in 70% of possible pairwise crosses between Australian domesticated lines and wild accessions tested, indicating wide applicability of the markers in crosses between wild and domesticated germplasm.

Seeds and plants of wild type Lupinus albus are bitter and contain high level of alkaloids. During domestication, at least three genes conferring low-alkaloid content were identified and incorporated into commercial varieties. Australian lupin breeders exclusively utilize one of these sweetness genes, “pauper”, in all varieties to prevent possible bitterness contamination via out-crossing. A cross was made between a sweet variety Kiev Mutant (containing pauper gene) and a bitter type landrace P27174, and the population was advanced into F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Twenty-four plants representing sweetness and bitterness were subjected to DNA fingerprinting by the microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) technique. A dominant polymorphism was discovered in an MFLP fingerprint. The MFLP marker was converted into a co-dominant, sequence-specific, simple PCR-based marker. Linkage analysis by the software program MapManager with marker score data and alkaloid phenotyping data from a segregating population containing 190 F8 RILs indicated that the marker is linked to the pauper gene at the genetic distance of 1.4 centiMorgans (cM). This marker, which is designated as “PauperM1”, is capable of distinguishing the pauper gene from the other two low-alkaloid genes exiguus and nutricius. Validation on germplasm from the Australian lupin breeding program showed that the banding pattern of the marker PauperM1 is consistent with the alkaloid genotyping on a wide range of domesticated varieties and breeding lines. The PauperM1 marker is now being implemented for marker assisted selection in the Australian albus lupin breeding program.

A new disease was observed on Trifolium dasyurum, with symptoms beginning as a halo spot and developing into a leaf blight. The causal organism was identified by microscopy and DNA sequence studies as Botrytis fabae. This strain of B. fabae was also demonstrated to cause disease on foliage of a range of pulse crops, including Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, and Lens culinaris. This study demonstrates the potential of this strain of B. fabae to not only pose a significant threat to T. dasyurum but also to pulses grown in rotation with T. dasyurum that are susceptible to this strain of B. fabae.

Wild plants of Lupinus angustifolius avoid extinction in a drought year by production of seeds with coats that are impermeable to water, preventing germination of a large percentage of the seed in any given year. Domesticated cultivars of this species carry the recessive gene mollis, making the seed coat permeable to water and, in turn promoting good crop establishment in the year of sowing. A dominant microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism candidate marker was identified as being tightly linked to mollis in a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from domesticated and wild-type parents. The candidate marker was excised from the gel, amplified by PCR, sequenced and extended beyond the SSR end of the original MseI-SSR fragment. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were found within this extended sequence. Specific primers were designed to create a marker 209 bp long. PCR products of these primers run on a single strand conformation polymorphism gel resolved in a co-dominant fashion. This marker will be used in marker-assisted selection for mollis when introgressing wild material into lupin breeding programmes.

A key challenge in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for molecular plant breeding is to develop markers linked to genes of interest which are applicable to multiple breeding populations. In this study representative F2 plants from a cross Mandalup (resistant to anthracnose disease) × Quilinock (susceptible) of Lupinus angustifolius were used in DNA fingerprinting by Microsatellite-anchored Fragment Length Polymorphism (MFLP). Nine candidate MFLP markers linked to anthracnose resistance were identified, then ‘validated’ on 17 commercial cultivars. The number of “false positives” (showing resistant-allele band but lack of the R gene) for each of the nine candidate MFLP markers on the 17 cultivars ranged from 1 to 9. The candidate marker with least number of false positive was selected, sequenced, and was converted into a co-dominant, sequence-specific, simple PCR based marker suitable for routine implementation. Testing on 180 F2 plants confirmed that the converted marker was linked to the R gene at 5.1 centiMorgan. The banding pattern of the converted marker was consistent with the disease phenotype on 23 out of the 24 cultivars. This marker, designated “AnManM1”, is now being used for MAS in the Australian lupin breeding program. We conclude that generation of multiple candidate markers, followed by a validation step to select the best marker before conversion to an implementable form is an efficient strategy to ensure wide applicability for MAS.

Wild types of Lupinus angustifolius require vernalization to promote flowering. Modern domesticated cultivars carry the early-flowering gene Ku which removes this requirement. A microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism marker was identified as co-segregating with the Ku gene in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a domesticated x wild-type cross. DNA sequencing showed that the marker contained a 7 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism, as well as a single nucleotide polymorphism. A pair of sequence-specific primers was designed and successfully converted the size polymorphism into a simple polymerase chain reaction based co-dominant marker. This marker is closely linked to the Ku gene, as it co-segregates with the Ku phenotyping in a population consisting of 106 RILs.

Wild types of narrow-leaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) have seed pods that shatter upon maturity, leading to the loss of their seeds before or during the harvest process. Two recessive genes have been incorporated into domesticated cultivars of this species to maximize harvest-ability of the produce. One of these genes is called lentus (le). Two microsatellite - anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) candidate markers were identified as closely linked to the le gene in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a domesticated x wild type cross. The candidate MFLP markers were isolated from the gel, re-amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The MFLP polymorphisms were converted into sequence-specific PCR-based markers. Linkage analysis by MapManager indicated that one of the markers, LeM1, was 2.6 centiMorgans (cM) and the other, LeM2, was 1.3 cM from the gene, with both being on the same side. The correlation between the marker genotype and the plant phenotype for the le gene is 95% for the Australian cultivars, and approximately 36% on wild types tested. These markers may be useful in marker assisted selection for the le gene when introgressing wild material into lupin breeding programs.

Background Molecular marker-assisted breeding provides an efficient tool to develop improved crop varieties. A major challenge for the broad application of markers in marker-assisted selection is that the marker phenotypes must match plant phenotypes in a wide range of breeding germplasm. In this study, we used the legume crop species Lupinus angustifolius (lupin) to demonstrate the utility of whole genome sequencing and re-sequencing on the development of diagnostic markers for molecular plant breeding. Results Nine lupin cultivars released in Australia from 1973 to 2007 were subjected to whole genome re-sequencing. The re-sequencing data together with the reference genome sequence data were used in marker development, which revealed 180,596 to 795,735 SNP markers from pairwise comparisons among the cultivars. A total of 207,887 markers were anchored on the lupin genetic linkage map. Marker mining obtained an average of 387 SNP markers and 87 InDel markers for each of the 24 genome sequence assembly scaffolds bearing markers linked to 11 genes of agronomic interest. Using the R gene PhtjR conferring resistance to phomopsis stem blight disease as a test case, we discovered 17 candidate diagnostic markers by genotyping and selecting markers on a genetic linkage map. A further 243 candidate diagnostic markers were discovered by marker mining on a scaffold bearing non-diagnostic markers linked to the PhtjR gene. Nine out from the ten tested candidate diagnostic markers were confirmed as truly diagnostic on a broad range of commercial cultivars. Markers developed using these strategies meet the requirements for broad application in molecular plant breeding. Conclusions We demonstrated that low-cost genome sequencing and re-sequencing data were sufficient and very effective in the development of diagnostic markers for marker-assisted selection. The strategies used in this study may be applied to any trait or plant species. Whole genome sequencing and re-sequencing provides a powerful tool to overcome current limitations in molecular plant breeding, which will enable plant breeders to precisely pyramid favourable genes to develop super crop varieties to meet future food demands. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1878-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Discovery of SNP markers and InDel markers, and identification of diagnostic markers for the R gene PhtjR conferring PSB disease resistance by marker mining on scaffold87443 in the genome sequence assembly of Lupinus angustifolius. (DOCX 171 kb)

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the most serious disease of lupins (Lupinus spp). A cross was made between cultivars Tanjil (resistant) and Unicrop (susceptible) in narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius). Analysis of disease reaction data on the F2 population and on the resultant F7 recombinant inbred lines suggested that Tanjil contained a single dominant gene (Lanr1) conferring resistance to anthracnose. The parents and the representative F2 plants were used to generate molecular markers liked to the Lanr1 gene using the MFLP technique. A co-dominant MFLP polymorphism linked to the Lanr1 gene was identified as a candidate marker. The bands were isolated, re-amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The MFLP polymorphism was converted into a co-dominant, sequence-specific, simple PCR-based marker. Linkage analysis by the computer program MAPMAKER indicated that the marker was 3.5 centiMorgans (cM) from the gene Lanr1. This marker is currently being implemented for marker assisted selection in the Australian National Lupin Breeding Program.

We report a method of microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphisms for DNA fingerprinting. The method combines the concept of AFLP and the microsatellite-anchor primer technique. Genomic DNA was digested by one restriction enzyme MseI. One AFLP adaptor (MseI adaptor) was ligated onto the restriction fragments. DNA fingerprints were produced by PCR using one microsatellite-anchor primer in combination with one MseI-primer. The method allows co-amplification of over 100 DNA fragments containing microsatellite motifs per PCR. Polymorphisms detected from lupin by this method included those arising from variation in the number of microsatellite repeat units targeted by the microsatellite-anchor primers, from variation on the annealing sites for the SSR-anchor primers, from insertions/deletions outside the SSR region, and from variation in restriction sites. The first three types of polymorphisms were readily converted into sequence-specific PCR markers suitable for marker-assisted breeding.

Since the development of molecular markers to tag genes of agronomic traits of interests, molecular markers have played an increasingly significant role in breeding programs. Molecular markers have been implemented for large-scale marker-assisted selection in the breeding program of many important crops including lupin. So far, more than a dozen molecular markers for disease resistance genes and for other agronomic traits of interest have been developed in lupin. The DNA fingerprinting method, "MFLP" has played a pivotal role in the success of lupin breeding program in Australia. Here, we describe the MFLP technique used in lupin breeding which could be easily transferable to other crop species.

Since the development of molecular markers to tag genes of agronomic traits of interests, molecular markers have played an increasingly significant role in breeding programs. Molecular markers have been implemented for large-scale marker-assisted selection in the breeding program of many important crops including lupin. So far, more than a dozen molecular markers for disease resistance genes and for other agronomic traits of interest have been developed in lupin. The DNA fingerprinting method, "MFLP" has played a pivotal role in the success of lupin breeding program in Australia. Here, we describe the MFLP technique used in lupin breeding which could be easily transferable to other crop species.

Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is a valuable legume crop for animal feed and human health food because of its high proteins content. However, the genetics of seed storage proteins is unclear, limiting further improvement of protein quantity and quality. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was used for the first time to analyze lupin seed storage proteins and the spectra generated was treated as markers to investigate the chromosome locations controlling seed storage proteins in the narrow-leafed lupin. In a recombinant inbred line population of 89 individuals, 48 polymorphic protein peaks were identified and seven of which were successfully mapped onto four existing linkage groups: two on NLL-04, three on NLL-05, one on NLL-07 and one on NLL-14, with LOD values ranging from 2.6 to 7.7 confirming a significant linkage. Most protein-based markers showed distorted segregation and were failed to be integrated into the reference map. Among them, 31 were grouped into six clusters and the other ten were totally unlinked. This study provides a significant clue to study the comparative genomics/proteomics among legumes as well as for protein marker-assisted breeding. The distribution pattern of genes controlling seed storage protein revealed in this study probably exists universally among legumes or even all plants and animals. Whether genes controlling seed storage protein share the same gene expression pattern controlling other enzymes and what is the mechanism behind it are the questions which remain to be answered in the future.

Diggle, A. J., Salam, M. U., Thomas, G. J., Yang, H. A., O’Connell, M., and Sweetingham, M. W. 2002. AnthracnoseTracer: A spatiotemporal model for simulating the spread of anthracnose in a lupin field. Phytopathology 92:1110-1121. A spatiotemporal model has been developed to simulate the spread of anthracnose, initiated by infected seed, in a lupin field. The model quantifies the loss of healthy growing points of lupin in all 1-m2 subunits of a field throughout a growing season. The development of growing points is modeled as a function of temperature using a 1-day time step, and disease-induced compensatory growth is accounted for. Dispersal of spores is simulated explicitly using Monte Carlo techniques. Spread of spores occurs during rainfall events on a 1-h time step. The distance traveled by spores is partially dependent on wind speed and is generated by adding the values selected from half-Cauchy distributions. The direction of travel of the spores is influenced by wind direction. The model has been employed to produce a theoretical assessment of damage from disease in two environments at five levels of seed infection. It was calculated that in a susceptible lupin cultivar with a 0.01% initial seed infection, anthracnose would cause approximately 15% loss of healthy growing points in a high rainfall environment in Western Australia. In a low rainfall environment, similar damage would be unlikely even with a much higher (1%) level of seed infection.

A mapping population of F(8)derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was established from a cross between a domesticated breeding line 83A:476 and a wild type P27255 in narrow-leaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). The parents together with the 89 RILs were subjected to DNA fingerprinting using microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) to rapidly generate DNA markers to construct a linkage map. Five hundred and twenty two unique markers of which 21% were co-dominant, were generated and mapped. Phenotypic data for the domestication traits: mollis (soft seeds), leucospermus (white flower and seed colour); Lentus (reduced pod-shattering), iucundis (low alkaloid), Ku (early flowering) and moustache pattern on seed coats; were included. Three to 7 molecular markers were identified within 5 cM of each of these domestication genes. The anthracnose resistance gene Lanr1 was also mapped. Linkage groups were constructed using MapManager version QTXb20, resulting in 21 linkage groups consisting of 7 or more markers. The total map length was 1543 cM, with an average distance of 3.4 cM between adjacent markers. This is the first published map for a lupin species. The map can be exploited for marker assisted selection for genetic improvement in lupin breeding programs.

Selection for anthracnose disease resistance is one of the major objectives in lupin breeding programs. The aim of this study was to develop a molecular marker linked to a gene conferring anthracnose resistance in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), which can be widely used for MAS in lupin breeding. A F(8)derived RIL population from a cross between cultivar Tanjil (resistant to anthracnose) and Unicrop (susceptible) was used for marker development. DNA fingerprinting was conducted on 12 representative plants by combining the AFLP method with primers designed based on conserved sequences of plant disease resistance genes. A co-dominant candidate marker was detected from a DNA fingerprint. The candidate marker was cloned, sequenced, and converted into a sequence-specific, simple PCR based marker. Linkage analysis based on a segregating population consisting of 184 RILs suggested that the marker, designated as AntjM2, is located 2.3 cM away from the R gene conferring anthracnose resistance in L. angustifolius. The marker has now being implemented for MAS in the Australian national lupin breeding program.

Phomopsis stem blight (PSB) caused by Diaporthe toxica is a major disease in narrow-leafed lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius L.). The F(2) progeny and the parental plants from a cross between a breeding line 75A:258 (containing a single dominant resistance gene Phr1 against the disease) and a commercial cultivar Unicrop (susceptible to the disease) were used for development of molecular markers linked to the disease resistance gene. Two pairs of co-dominant DNA polymorphisms were detected using the microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) technique. Both pairs of polymorphisms were isolated from the MFLP gels, re-amplified by PCR, sequenced, and converted into co-dominant, sequence-specific and PCR-based markers. Linkage analysis by MAPMAKER suggested that one marker (Ph258M2) was 5.7 centiMorgans (cM) from Phr1, and the other marker (Ph258M1) was 2.1 cM from Ph258M2 but further away from Phr1. These markers are suitable for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in lupin breeding.

Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustilolius L.) is a grain legume of exceptionally high nutritive value and much versatile food and animal feed around the world. The development of lupin as a modern crop was limited by its high concentration of alkaloids. Progress in breeding necessitates a better understanding of the genetics underlying the trait – low-alkaloid level (sweet). Marker-assisted selection would allow a better targeting of the desired genes. The microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) fingerprinting technology was applied to an F8 recombination inbred line (RIL) population to identify and select candidate markers linked to the low-alkaloid gene iucundus. Four MFLP markers were identified as candidate markers based on their banding patterns in the F8 RIL population. One of these candidate markers showing the best correlation with phenotypes in the representative germplasm was selected and successfully converted into a simple PCR-based co-dominant marker, named IucLi. This established marker IucLi is 0.9 cM away from the sweet (low-alkaloid) gene iucundus. The accuracy between marker genotype and phenotype is 100% in the common 25 cultivars and 86.4% among the 125 accessions of narrow-leafed lupin core collection. Marker IucLi is being used in narrow-leafed lupin breeding for selection of ‘sweet’ individuals. The marker is also used to develop near-isogenic lines to further characterise and fine mapping the iucundus locus.

Anthracnose is a major disease of lupins in Western Australia (WA). The disease wiped out the WA albus lupin industry in 1996 and since then, anthracnose resistance has been a major focus for WA lupin breeding. In an endeavour to find a source of resistance to anthracnose, all available germplasm in WA was screened against anthracnose in New Zealand over the summer of 1997 and 1998, and resistance was identified in Ethiopian landraces. The resistance was present in many Ethiopian landraces within a close geographical distribution, suggesting a similar genetic basis of resistance. Crosses were made between the resistant landraces and agronomically superior lines. The progeny were tested for anthracnose resistance, yield, seed quality, and other agronomic characters. The most superior line, Andromeda, was released for commercial production in WA. It was developed from an F3-derived single-plant selection of a cross between an anthracnose-resistant landrace P27175 from Ethiopia and a well adapted but highly susceptible WA breeding line 89B10A-14. Andromeda has a significantly higher level of resistance to anthracnose than the previous cv. Kiev Mutant and is recommended in the medium- to low-rainfall area of the northern wheatbelt of WA. Further breeding effort has resulted in significant improvement in the level of resistance within the WA breeding program, and early generation lines are more resistant than advanced lines. The best resistant lines are, however, in a late flowering background and only an incremental improvement has been achieved in combining early flowering with anthracnose resistance, which seems to be a complex process.

We report the first quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapped in an F8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Lupinus angustifolius. Traits mapped were early vigour, days to flowering, height at maturity, and seed size. Twenty-two QTLs were found, located on 13 linkage groups, with alleles beneficial to the crop contributed by both parents. Early vigour was controlled by 8 QTLs on 7 linkage groups. Time to flowering was controlled by 10 QTLs and the height at maturity was found to be under the control of 4 QTLs. Seed size was linked to 2 QTLs. A region linked to the Ku gene that promotes early flowering by removal of the vernalisation requirement appeared to play a role in all 4 traits. The gene mollis controlling soft-seededness appeared to also be linked to early vigour, and iucundis controlling alkaloid production was linked to seed size. Five pairs of QTLs were found to be involved in epistasis, 2 of these having an effect on early vigour and another 3 influencing the time to opening of the first florets. Variation explained for each trait ranged from 28% for seed size, to 88% for days to flowering. We showed that it was possible to use these data to predict genotypes of superior progeny for these traits under Mediterranean conditions. QTL regions were compared on a second published linkage map and regions of conserved synteny with the model legume Medicago truncatula highlighted.

The impact of temperature was assessed on mycelial growth of Colletotrichum lupini on agar and on anthracnose expression in lupin cultivars with varying degrees of resistance. Growth rate of C. lupini was determined at temperatures from 5 to 3°C. Fungal growth was observed at temperatures from 10 to 30°C with maximum growth rate occurring at 25°C. In growth cabinet experiments, the impact of temperatures ranging from 10 to 26°C was observed on anthracnose development in the Lupinus angustifolius cultivars Myallie (susceptible), Merrit (moderately susceptible) and Wonga (resistant) and the L. albus cultivar Kiev Mutant (extremely susceptible). At 10°C, disease incidence was very low (0–12%) in all cultivars, reflecting the slow in vitro growth of the fungus at this temperature. Increasing temperature from 12 to 26°C reduced the latent period by more than 50% and increased disease incidence, sporulation incidence and lesion severity. Latent period response to temperature was independent of cultivar resistance. However, cultivar×temperature interactionswere evident for disease incidence, sporulation incidence and lesion severity responses. Anthracnose resistance in cv.Wonga was temperature sensitive. At 12 and 18°C, disease incidence and severity inWonga were significantly lower than other L. angustifolius cultivars tested but at 26°C disease incidence and severity were similar to other cultivars.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the major grain legume crops in the world. In this study, the genetic diversity of 24 Australian chickpea cultivars released between 1987 and 2005 was investigated with microsatellite-anchored fragment length polymorphism (MFLP) DNA markers. Among the cultivars examined, 30 cultivar-specific markers were identified and all were unequivocally identified using the DNA fingerprints developed in this study. Most of the cultivars were grouped into two major clusters; cv. Flipper was separated from the rest based on total character differences of DNA polymorphism. The MFLP approach proved suitable in the analysis of genetic diversity among the chickpea cultivars studied and the genetic relationship identified will be useful for chickpea breeding programs in selecting parent materials.