Metabolome Profiling: A Breeding Prediction Tool for Legume Performance under Biotic Stress Conditions

Legume crops such as common bean, pea, alfalfa, cowpea, peanut, soybean and others contribute significantly to the diet of both humans and animals. They are also important in the improvement of cropping systems that employ rotation and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Biotic stresses hinder the production of leguminous crops, significantly limiting their yield potential. There is a need to understand the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the response of these crops to biotic stressors. Simultaneous expressions of a number of genes responsible for specific traits of interest in legumes under biotic stress conditions have been reported, often with the functions of the identified genes unknown. Metabolomics can, therefore, be a complementary tool to understand the pathways involved in biotic stress response in legumes. Reports on legume metabolomic studies in response to biotic stress have paved the way in understanding stress-signalling pathways. This review provides a progress update on metabolomic studies of legumes in response to different biotic stresses. Metabolome annotation and data analysis platforms are discussed together with future prospects. The integration of metabolomics with other omics tools in breeding programmes can aid greatly in ensuring food security through the production of stress tolerant cultivars.

Automated summary

Legume crops play a significant role in both human and animal diets, as well as in improving cropping systems. However, biotic stresses significantly limit their yield potential. Metabolomic studies can help understand the response pathways of leguminous crops to biotic stresses.