Faba bean genomics: current status and future prospects

Faba bean represents a crucial source of protein for food, especially for Mediterranean countries, and local demand for faba bean grains is increasing. The crop is also gaining increased attention as an elite candidate for conservation agriculture. However, the complexity of the faba genome has made progress in breeding programs and molecular studies relatively slow compared with other legume crops. Recent advances in plant genomics have made it feasible to understand complex genomes such as faba bean. With the increase of faba bean consumption in the Middle East region, there is an urgent need to develop elite faba genotypes suitable for arid and semi arid environments, with high yield potential and acceptable nutritional quality. This article highlights the recent advances in legume and faba genomics and its potential to contribute to the above mentioned goal. Emphasis is given on prospects on faba improvements strategies from the Middle East point of view.