The draft genome of five unimproved tropical plants

A rapid growth in the world population and global economy are expected to double the worldwide demand for food by 2050. Moreover, 88% of countries are currently facing a serious burden of malnutrition, especially those from Africa and Southern & South-Eastern Asia. Surprisingly, 30 species alone contribute 95% of the present food energy needs of humans with wheat, maize and rice providing the majority of calories. Therefore, to diversify and stabilize global food supply, enhance agricultural productivity and tackle malnutrition in these countries, a greater utilization of neglected or underused crops (orphan crops) could be a partial solution.Here we present draft genome information of five agriculturally, biologically, medicinally and economically important African orphan crops, namely; Vigna subterranea, Lablab purpureus, Faidherbia albida, Sclerocarya birrea, and Moringa oleifera. The assembled genomes range in size from 217 to 654 Mb. In addition, we have predicted 31707, 20946, 28979, 18937, 18451 protein-coding genes in V. subterranea, L. purpureus, F. albida, S. birrea and M. oleifera respectively. We have further analyzed the expansion and contraction of selected gene families, and characterized root-nodule-symbiosis genes, transcription factors and starch biosynthesis related genes in these genomes.