The Narrow-Leafed Lupin Genome Assembly, Transcriptome Sequencing of Different Tissue Types and Generation of Gene-Based Molecular Markers

Narrow-leafed lupin (NLL) is the main grain legume grown in Australia and forms an important part of sustainable farming systems, reducing the need for nitrogenous fertilizer, providing valuable disease breaks and boosting cereal yields. We have generated a draft genome assembly for the NLL cultivar Tanjil. We have performed tissue-specific transcriptome sequencing for three cultivars with sequenced tissues from roots, stems, leafs, flowers and seeds, which aided the annotation and identification of the gene-rich regions. From this dataset we have identified several groups of genes that are tissue specific. We have adopted high-throughput molecular marker techniques for assaying gene-based SNPs and indels in NLL derived from the transcriptome datasets, which we used to improve the reference genetic map. In silico PCR identified SNP and indel markers for each scaffold in the current assembly and the genotyping of markers on the largest scaffolds is underway. Together these resources will significantly improve and accelerate NLL breeding programmes, especially since NLL has only been ‘domesticated’ for little more than 50 years.