Lotus japonicus as a model legume: development of the genomic and genetic tools to facilitate the breeding of the diverse cultivated grain and forages legumes

Abstract

Lotus japonicus is a wild perennial plant with a small genome and a short life cycle. This plant is expected to play a role as the model organism of leguminous plants, which include important crop plants such as soybean (Glycine max). L. japonicus and G. max were selected as targets of the 2004 National Bioresource Project. The project is aiming to support the development of legume researches through the work of the research material offering. We opened "Legume Base" (http://www.legumebase.agr.miyazaki-u.ac.jp) in Miyazaki University to facilitate the use of the material by the research community.