Biotechnology approaches to overcome biotic and abiotic stress constraints in legumes

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 147; no. 1-2; pp. 1 - 24
• Main Authors: Dita, M.A, Rispail, N, Prats, E, Rubiales, D, Singh, K.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 2006
• Subjects: abiotic stress; Alfalfa; Biotechnology; disease resistance; Fabaceae; gene expression; Genetic improvement; genetic transformation; genomics; Legumes; literature reviews; Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus; Lotus japonicus; Medicago truncatula; messenger RNA; metabolomics; molecular genetics; mutagenesis; mutants; plant diseases and disorders; proteomics; stress tolerance; tissue culture
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-006-6156-9

Issue Title: Special Issue: Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Legumes Biotic and abiotic stresses cause significant yield losses in legumes and can significantly affect their productivity. Biotechnology tools such as marker-assisted breeding, tissue culture, in vitro mutagenesis and genetic transformation can contribute to solve or reduce some of these constraints. However, only limited success has been achieved so far. The emergence of "omic" technologies and the establishment of model legume plants such as Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus are promising strategies for understanding the molecular genetic basis of stress resistance, which is an important bottleneck for molecular breeding. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the expression of stress-related genes is a fundamental issue in plant biology and will be necessary for the genetic improvement of legumes. In this review, we describe the current status of biotechnology approaches in relation to biotic and abiotic stresses in legumes and how these useful tools could be used to improve resistance to important constraints affecting legume crops.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]