Microsatellite analysis reveals low interpopulation differentiation in velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) of India

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) offers significant economic benefits to tropical agriculture as food, fodder and medicinal crop; but suffers from poor breeding efforts. The genetic diversity and taxonomic confusion prevailing in this plant are not well investigated so far. In this study, we used a set of 43 transcriptome derived genic-microsatellite markers on a panel of 18 pan-India velvet bean accessions to determine the genomic composition and population structure. The results revealed low to moderate genetic diversity (average Ht = 0.25), low population differentiation (Fst: 0.05) and a high estimate of gene flow (Nm: 4.71). Extensive admixture and absence of clear-cut population structure characterize this set of collection. The results underscore the need for comprehensive pre-breeding efforts to broaden the genetic diversity of this important medicinal legume crop.