Genome sequence of the cluster root forming white lupin

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a legume that produces seeds recognized for their high protein content and good nutritional value (lowest glycemic index of all grains, high dietary fiber content, and zero gluten or starch). White lupin can form nitrogen-fixing nodules but has lost the ability to form mycorrhizal symbiosis with fungi. Nevertheless, its root system is well adapted to poor soils: it produces cluster roots, constituted of dozens of determinate lateral roots that improve soil exploration and phosphate remobilization. As phosphate is a limited resource that comes from rock reserves, the production of cluster roots is a trait of interest to improve fertilizers efficiency. Using long reads sequencing technologies, we provide a high-quality genome sequence of a modern variety of white lupin (2n=50, 451 Mb), as well as de novo assemblies of a landrace and a wild relative. We describe how domestication impacted soil exploration capacity through the early establishment of lateral and cluster roots. We identify the APETALA2 transcription factor LaPUCHI-1, homolog of the Arabidopsis morphogenesis coordinator, as a potential regulator of this trait. Our high-quality genome and companion genomic and transcriptomic resources enable the development of modern breeding strategies to increase and stabilize yield and to develop new varieties with reduced allergenic properties (caused by conglutins), which would favor the deployment of this promising culture.

Authors: Bárbara Hufnagel, André Marques, Alexandre Soriano, Laurence Marquès, Fanchon Divol, Patrick Doumas, Erika Sallet, Davide Mancinotti, Sébastien Carrere, William Marande, Sandrine Arribat, Jean Keller, Cécile Huneau, Thomas Blein, Delphine Aime, Malika Laguerre, Jemma Taylor, Veit Schubert, Matthew Nelson, Fernando Geu-Flores, Martin Crespi, Karine Gallardo-Guerrero, Pierre-Marc Delaux, Jérôme Salse, Hélène Bergès, Romain Guyot, Jérôme Gouzy, Benjamin Péret