Climate Shapes Mungbean's Spread Across Asia

What is it about?

This study investigates the domestication and spread of mungbean, a South Asian legume, in relation to climatic adaptation. Researchers used population genomics, environmental niche modeling, and ancient Chinese text analyses to demonstrate that mungbean's cultivation range expansion was shaped by unique combinations of climatic constraints and farmer practices across Asia. Genetic evidence suggests that mungbean cultivation first spread from South Asia to Southeast, East, and finally reached Central Asia. The study emphasizes that the spread of cultivated plants is highly constrained by climatic adaptation, which influences the unique patterns of cultivation range expansion.

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it sheds light on the spread and adaptation of mungbean, an important crop, throughout Asia. By investigating the genetics and climatic factors that influenced the cultivation range expansion, the study provides valuable insights into the domestication and dissemination of cultivated plants. This interdisciplinary effort combines population genomics, environmental niche modeling, empirical field and laboratory investigations, and ancient Chinese text analyses, offering a comprehensive understanding of the unique routes and factors that have shaped the spread of mungbean. Key Takeaways: 1. Mungbean's cultivation range expansion is significantly influenced by climatic adaptation, which has dictated the unique patterns of cultivation range expansion after domestication. 2. The study focuses on how or when mungbean was established as part of local agriculture throughout Asia, demonstrating that after leaving South Asia, mungbean was likely first cultivated in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and finally Central Asia. 3. The climatic differences likely resulted in farmers' differential emphasis on using mungbean mainly as a grain or green manure crop, further intensifying the phenotypic diversification among regional mungbean accessions that could be used as an invaluable genetic resource for genetic improvement in the future.