AUTHOR=Takahashi Yu , Iseki Kohtaro , Kitazawa Kumiko , Muto Chiaki , Somta Prakit , Irie Kenji , Naito Ken , Tomooka Norihiko 

TITLE=A Homoploid Hybrid Between Wild Vigna Species Found in a Limestone Karst

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2015.01050

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2015.01050

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Genus <italic>Vigna</italic> comprise several domesticated species including cowpea and mungbean, and diverse wild species. We found an introgressive hybrid population derived from two wild species, <italic>Vigna umbellata</italic> and <italic>Vigna exilis</italic>, in Ratchaburi district, Thailand. The hybrid was morphologically similar to <italic>V. umbellata</italic> but habituated in a limestone rock mountain, which is usually dominated by <italic>V. exilis</italic>. Analyzing simple sequence repeat loci indicated the hybrid has undergone at least one round of backcross by <italic>V. umbellata</italic>. We found the hybrid acquired vigorous growth from <italic>V. umbellata</italic> and drought tolerance plus early flowering from <italic>V. exilis</italic>, and thus has taken over some habitats of <italic>V. exilis</italic> in limestone karsts. Given the wide crossability of <italic>V. umbellata</italic>, the hybrid can be a valuable genetic resource to improve drought tolerance of some domesticated species.</p>