This book on lupin genomics primarily focuses on the narrow-leafed lupin (NLL), and details the genomic resources that have been developed and how they are currently being used to help advance both fundamental and applied research on NLL in areas ranging from its domestication to plant-microbe interactions and syntenic relationships between NLL and other legume crops. It also reports on genomic efforts being pursued with regard to other lupin crops.

Lupins are important ecological 'engineers': they can colonise and thrive in low-nutrient soils due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with bacteria and efficiently take up phosphorous. Recently, lupins have attracted considerable interest, not only because of their value for sustainable farming as a break crop, but also as a potential 'super food' for fighting major health issues in connection with diabetes and obesity.

Narrow-leafed lupin is the main grain legume crop, grown primarily in Australia, and was therefore selected for the development of a reference lupin genome and associated genomic resources. Its genome has recently been sequenced with a focus on the gene-rich space, which has advanced the development of new breeding tools for the improvement of NLL and related lupin crops.

Introduction to lupins and their importance

Lupin breeding - lessons from the past and prospects for the future
Ecophysiology and genetic resources for genetic/genomic improvement of NLL
NLL reference genome
Cytomolecular insight into/Lupinus/ genomes
NLL transcriptomics
Molecular marker resources - Targeted towards Australian breeding program
Syntenic relationships between NLL and other legume crops
Exploiting NLL genomic resources to understand NLL domestication
Genomic applications to dissect plant-microbe interactions
Genomic applications to dissect flowering time control in NLL
GBS-based genomic selection in white lupin
Genomic efforts for L. luteus
L. mutabilis genome and associated evolutionary analyses
Genomic efforts to analyse repetitive elements in lupin species.