Vigna

Abstract

The genus Vigna, with about 100 species, includes eight species domesticated in Africa and Asia; many other species in the genus are cultivated or gathered for various uses. The genus probably first evolved in Africa, based on the present day distribution of Vigna diversity. Monographs with a focus on Asian and African Vigna genetic resources have recently been published. While representatives of all known Asian Vigna species are in germplasm collections, the same is not true for African Vigna. There are now core collections of the major Vigna crops, and the core collection of mungbean includes its wild progenitor. Evaluation of wild Vigna has revealed a wide array of biotic and abiotic stress resistances. Some of the resistant sources in these wild accessions, such as nematode resistance and heat tolerance, are being transferred to cross-compatible crops. Among Vigna species, the littoral species Vigna marina is exceptionally tolerant to saline conditions. Using wild accessions as one parent in mapping populations, genome maps of the major domesticated Vigna have been published. However, genomic studies of some Vigna crops such as heat- and drought-tolerant urd bean (V. aconitifolia) are still needed. Vigna species have a great potential to provide useful genes for crops in a world where breeders require genes to address altered environments due to climate change. This paper provides website addresses where further information on Vigna can be found.