Chromosome maps of legumes

Legumes are of immense importance as food and feed, and for sustainable agriculture, due to their ability to fix nitrogen. Here, the chromosome maps of the legumes soybean (Glycine max), Lotus (Lotus japonicus), and red clover (Trifolium pratense) are reviewed. These species have relatively small chromosomes and therefore are difficult to exploit for chromosome studies. Nevertheless, the identification of individual chromosomes became feasible, and chromosome maps have been developed applying image analysis and fluorescence in-situ hybridization. For Lotus japonicus, e.g. detailed chromosome maps have been developed using the information of genetic linkage maps. Future prospects of further legume chromosome mapping for breeding and genetic purposes are discussed.