The tepary bean genome provides insight into evolution and domestication under heat stress

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolis A. Gray), native to the Sonoran Desert, is highly adapted to heat and drought. It is a sister species of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the most important legume protein source for direct human consumption, and whose production is threatened by climate change. Here, we report on the tepary genome including exploration of possible mechanisms for resilience to moderate heat stress and a reduced disease resistance gene repertoire, consistent with adaptation to arid and hot environments. Extensive collinearity and shared gene content among these Phaseolus species will facilitate engineering climate adaptation in common bean, a key food security crop, and accelerate tepary bean improvement. In contrast to common bean, tepary bean is highly adapted to heat and drought. Here, the authors assemble the genomes of tepary bean landrace and wild accession, discuss the possible mechanism for resilience to heat stress, and reveal a reduced disease resistance gene repertoire.

Automated summary

The study highlights the high adaptation of tepary bean to heat and drought, and explores possible mechanisms for resilience to heat stress in its genome. Tepary bean exhibits a reduced disease resistance gene repertoire, which is related to its adaptation to arid and hot environments.