The Mungbean Genome Sequence:A Blueprint for Vigna Improvement

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) (family Fabaceae) is a diploid (2n = 2x = 22) pulse crop, cultivated predominantly in South East Asia. The genus Vigna also contains several major agriculturally important legumes like black gram (V. mungo), rice bean (V. umbellata), moth bean (V. aconitifolia) and adzuki bean (V. angularis). The grains are rich in protein and minerals and hence form important component of human diet. Mung bean is reported to be domesticated in India approx. 4,000-6,000 years ago.