Gene Flow in Phaseolus Beans and Its Role as a Plausible Driver of Ecological Fitness and Expansion of Cultigens

The genus Phaseolus , native to the Americas, is composed of more than eighty wild species, five which were domesticated in pre-Columbian times. Since beginning domestication events this genus, ample opportunities for gene flow with relatives have existed. present work reviews extent primary and secondary areas aim illustrating how evolutionary force may conditioned ecological fitness widespread adoption cultigens. We focus on biological bases from a spatial time perspective, dynamics wild-weedy-crop complexes common bean Lima bean, two most important species usefulness genomic tools detect inter intraspecific introgression events. In review we discuss reproductive strategies several factors that favor outcrossing rates evidence suggesting interspecific increase populations. also show generate genetic diversity over farmers are able select expand their cultigens outside domestication. Ultimately, argue studies needed biology since breeding systems largely unknown. there an urgent need preserve characterize generated by them, particular genome-wide effects introgressions value programs. Recent technological advances genomics, coupled agronomic characterizations, make large contribution.