Construction of an SSR-based genetic map of the tropical legume Aeschynomene evenia: an essential tool for deciphering the Nod-independent symbiotic process and for improving nodulation efficiency in Arachis hypogaea

This genetic map will support the “AeschyNod” ANR project (2014-2019) which aims at performing a “mutagenesis” strategy to generate and screen plant mutants defective for nodulation. To make successful this strategy, we are also developing a reference genome sequence for A. evenia, which will accelerate the map-based cloning of symbiotic genes.
The acquired knowledge should bring important highlights on the specific determinants of the Nod-independent process and the evolution of the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in the legume family.