A novel procedure for identifying a hybrid QTL-allele system for hybrid-vigor improvement, with a case study in soybean(Glycine max)yield

“Breeding by design” for pure lines may be achieved by construction of an additive QTL-allele matrix in a germplasm panel or breeding population, but this option is not available for hybrids, where both additive and dominance QTL-allele matrices must be constructed. In this study, a hybrid-QTL identification approach, designated PLSRGA, using partial least squares regression(PLSR) for model fitting integrated with a genetic algorithm(GA) for variable selection based on a multi-locus, multi-allele model is described for additive and dominance QTL-allele detection in a diallel hybrid population(DHP). The PLSRGA was shown by simulation experiments to be superior to single-marker analysis and was then used for QTL-allele identification in a soybean DPH yield experiment with eight parents. Twenty-eight main-effect QTL with 138 alleles and nine QTL × environment QTL with 46 alleles were identified, with respective contributions of 61.8% and 23.5% of phenotypic variation. Main-effect additive and dominance QTL-allele matrices were established as a compact form of the DHP genetic structure. The mechanism of heterosis superior-to-parents(or superior-to-parents heterosis, SPH) was explored and might be explained by a complementary locus-set composed of OD+(showing positive over-dominance, most often), PD+(showing positive partial-to-complete dominance, less often) and HA+(showing positive homozygous additivity, occasionally) loci, depending on the parental materials. Any locus-type, whether OD+, PD + and HA+, could be the best genotype of a locus. All hybrids showed various numbers of better or best genotypes at many but not necessarily all loci, indicating further SPH improvement. Based on the additive/dominance QTL-allele matrices, the best hybrid genotype was predicted, and a hybrid improvement approach is suggested. PLSRGA is powerful for hybrid QTL-allele detection and cross-SPH improvement.

Cd Distribution and Subcellular Localization in Leaf and Its Effects on Growth of Soybean(Glycine max) Seedlings

In order to investigate Cd accumulation, subcellular distribution, and local-ization in soybean seedlings leaves, soybean seedlings were cultivated in solution containing different concentrations of Cd. The results showed that most Cd associ-ated with the cellwal s and soluble fractions, and a minor part of Cd presented in mitochondria fractions, nuclear and chloroplast fractions, especial y exposure to high Cd concentrations. Under 20.00 mg/L Cd stress, Cd subcellular distribution fol owed a sequence as： soluble fractions （55.00%）＆gt;cellwal s （30.0%）＆gt;mitochondria fractions （8.21%）＆gt;nuclear and chloroplast fractions （6.79%）. Deposited Cd black particles were observed in cellwal s, chloroplasts, nuclei, and vacuoles through electrical microscope slice. This fact indicated that the cellwal s of soybean leaves were the first protecting organel es from Cd toxicity, and the cellwal s and soluble fractions were the main place for Cd storage. Due to Cd accumulated in the organel es, the intercellular space was enlarged and the subcellular structure was damaged, especial y for the chloroplasts.

Isolation and Characterization of a Mitochondrial atp6 Gene from Soybean (Glycine max)

Mitochondrial ATPase (mtATPase) complex plays vital roles in higher plants. It consists of a few subunits. In the present study, a new copy of the mtATPase subunit 6 (EC 3.6.1.34) gene (atp6) was cloned and characterized from Glycine max (L.) Merr., which has the shortest opening reading frame of 223 amino acids in all organisms examined and designated as the atp6 copy3 (atp6_3). PCR amplifications of the atp6_3 from 9 soybean cultivars combined with sequencing analysis suggested its wide occurrence in G. max . RFLP analysis of a RILs population implied that paternal inheritance of the atp6_3 might occur in G. max at undetermined frequency. Under salicylic acid (SA)_treated condition, the expression of the atp6 gene was significantly inhibited. The possible role of this inhibition was discussed.

Effects of salinity on activities of H^+-ATPase, H^+-PPase and membrane lipid composition in plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles isolated from soybean(Glycine max L.) seedlings

The effects of NaCl stress on the H +-ATPase, H +-PPase activity and lipid composition of plasma membrane(PM) and tonoplast(TP) vesicles isolated from roots and leaves of two soybean cultivars(Glycine max L.) differing in salt tolerance(Wenfeng7, salt-tolerant; Union, salt-sensitive) were investigated. When Wenfeng7 was treated with 0.3%(W/V) NaCl for 3 d, the H +-ATPase activities in PM and TP from roots and leaves exhibited a reduction and an enhancement, respectively. The H +-PPase activity in TP from roots also increased. Similar effects were not observed in roots of Union. In addition, the increases of phospholipid content and ratios of phospholipid to galactolipid in PM and TP from roots and leaves of Wenfeng7 may also change membrane permeability and hence affect salt tolerance.

Mitigative Effect of La on Glycine max seedlings under Pb-Cd Compound Pollution

Mitigative effect of La on Glycine max seedlings under combined Pb and Cd pollution was studied through pot culture experiment. The results show that the growth and metabolism of Glycine max seedlings are inhibited by the solution with 500 mg.L-1 Pb + 100 mg.L-1 Cd. When 30 mg. L-1 LaCl3 is used to spray Glycine max seedlings once, the injury effect of combined Pb and Cd pollution is reduced. The experiment proves that the effect is related to La which can raise photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and activity of nitrate reductase, and reduce cell membrane permeability, content of Pb and Cd, and keep TTC reduction ability of Glycine max seedling.

Analysis of QTLs for the Trichome Density on the Upper and Downer Surface of Leaf Blade in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Trichomes （plant hairs） are present on nearly all land plants and are known to play important roles in plant protection, specifically against insect herbivory, drought, and UV radiation. The identification of quantitative trait loci （QTL） associated with trichome density should help to interpret the molecular genetic mechanism of soybean trichome density. 184 recombinant inbred lines （RILs）, derived from a cross between soybean cultivars Kefeng 1 and Nannong 1138-2 were used as segregating population for evaluation of TDU （trichome density on the upper surface of leaf blade） and TDD （trichome density on the downer surface of leaf blade）. A total of 15 QTL were detected on molecular linkage groups （MLG） A2, Dla, Dlb, E and H by composite interval mapping （CIM） and among all the QTL, qtuA2-1, qtuD 1 a-1, qtuD lb-2, qtuH-2 qtuE-1, qtdDlb-2, and qtdH- 2 were affirmed by multiple interval mapping （MIM）. The contribution ofphenotypic variance of qtuH-2 was 31.81 and 29.4% by CIM and MIM, respectively, suggesting it might be major gene Ps loci. Only 10 pairs of main QTL interactions for TDU were detected, explained a range of 0.2-5.1% of phenotypic variations for each pair for a total of 22.8%. The QTL on MLG Dlb affecting trichome density were mapped near to Rsc-7 conditioning resistance to SMV （soybean mosaic virus）. This study showed that the genetic mechanism of trichome density was the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance, and also suggested that the causal nature between trichome density and other agronomic traits.

Genetic diversity center of cultivated soybean(Glycine max) in China——New insight and evidence for the diversity center of Chinese cultivated soybean

Information on the center of genetic diversity of soybean（Glycine max） will be helpful not only for designing efficient strategies for breeding programs, but also for understanding the domestication and origin of this species. Here, we describe an analysis of genetic diversity based on simple-sequence repeat（SSR） variations within a core collection of 2 111 accessions of Chinese soybean landraces. Prior to the diversity assessment, the geographic origin of each accession was mapped. The map was then divided into grids each 2.5° in latitude and 5° in longitude. We found two regions that had higher number of alleles（NA） and greater polymorphic information content（PIC） values than the others. These regions are adjacently located within grid position of 30°–35°N×105°–110°E, which includes the valley of the middle and lower reaches of the Wei River, and the valley of the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River. It was also observed that in many regions, genetic diversity decreased with the increase in distance from the center. Another region, in northern Hebei Province（115°–120°E×40°–42.5°N）, was observed having higher diversity than any surrounding regions, indicating that this is a sub-center of soybean diversity. Based on the presented results, the domestication and origin of soybean are also discussed.

MicroRNAs Involved in the Pathogenesis of Phytophthora Root Rot of Soybean (Glycine max)

Phytophthora root rot is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world,which can infect the seedlings and plants,with substantial negative impact on soybean yield and quality.MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are a class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression during growth and development of organisms.A soybean disease-resistance variety Suinong 10 was inoculated with Phytophthora sojae race No.1,and the specific miRNA resistant expression profile was acquired by microarray for the first time.Different expressional miRNAs have been found after comparing the results of the treated sample with the control sample.Furthermore,the target genes of different expressional miRNAs were predicted.Two miRNAs,cbr-mir-241 and ath-miR854a,regulated the disease-resistance process directly through their targets,some enzymes.Another two miRNAs,gma-miR169a and ath-miR169h,participated in disease-resistance regulation as transcription factors.Similarly,one miRNA,ptc-miR164f,has been reported to regulate the plant development.All of these studies would be served as the foundation for exploring the resistance mechanism.

Genetic Analysis of Combining Abilities and Heterosis for the Contents of Soybean Isoflavone and Its Components Among the Soybean Varieties [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

The genetic analysis of soybean isoflavone content and its components were carried out based on the NC Ⅱ matingdesign in eight soybean varieties. The results showed that the isoflavone contents and its components of soybean seedare quite differences among the tested materials, the contents of isoflavone and daidzein are controlled not only byadditive effects and but also by non-additive effects, while the content of genistin is dominated by non-additive effects,and genistein, glycitin and daidzin are mainly controlled by additive effects. There are significant differences in thecontents of isoflavone and its components among the combinations derived from different parents. Results also indicatedthat the tested traits are negatively heterosis except for the contens of daidzein and daidzin are positively heterosis basedon the data of the GCA and SCA in average heterosis values. In this research we have a suggestion that soybean varietywith high isoflavone should be used as one of the parents in the breeding program, and it is the best choice that thecombinations crossed between two high isoflavone varieties or a high variety and a low one.

Genetic Analysis of Embryo, Cytoplasm and Maternal Effects and Their Environment Interactions for Isoflavone Content in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Soybean seed products contain isoflavones （genistein, daidzein, and glycitein） that display biological effects when ingested by humans and animals. These effects are species, dose and age dependent. Therefore, the content and quality of isoflavones in soybeans is a key factor to the biological effect. Our objective was to identify the genetic effects that underlie the isoflavone content in soybean seeds. A genetic model for quantitative traits of seeds in diploid plants was applied to estimate the genetic main effects and genotype x environment （GE） interaction effects for the isoflavone content （IC） of soybean seeds by using two years experimental data with an incomplete diallel mating design of six parents. Results showed that the IC of soybean seeds was simultaneously controlled by the genetic effects of maternal, embryo, and cytoplasm, of which maternal genetic effects were most important, followed by embryo and cytoplasmic genetic effects. The main effects of different genetic systems on IC trait were more important than environment interaction effects. The strong dominance effects on isoflavone from residual was made easily by environment conditions. Therefore, the improvement of the IC of soybean seeds would be more efficient when selection is based on maternal plants than that on the single seed. Maternal heritability （65.73%） was most important for IC, followed by embryo heritability （25.87%） and cytoplasmic heritability （8.39%）. Based on predicated genetic effects, Yudou 29 and Zheng 90007 were better than other parents for increasing IC in the progeny and improving the quality of soybean, The significant effects of maternal and embryo dominance effects in variance show that the embryo heterosis and maternal heterosis are existent and uninfluenced by environment interaction effects.

Effect of La-Gly on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Glycine max Seedling under Pb Stress

The physiological and biochemical characteristics of Glycine max seedlings were changed under the high concentration of Pb stress, in which the malony dialdehyde (MDA) content, plasmalemma, activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were increased drastically. The damage effects of Pb were reduced when 15 mg . L-1 La-Gly was used to spray Glycine max seedlings. The results of La-Gly treatment show that the effects are related to the decrease of Pb content in plants, the increase of photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase (NR) activity, decrease of MDA content and cell membrane permeability, and maintenance of activities of CAT and POD.

Isolation and Characterization of Storage Protein Subunit-null-dwarf Mutants in Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.)

Dwarfing is useful to reduce plant height,when breeding high-yielding and non-lodging crops.In this study,a set of natural storage protein subunit-null dwarf mutants of soybean was reported that showed strongly reduced plant stature and deficiency in various 7S and 11S subunits,designated as snd1 mutants.Under normal growth conditions,the snd1 mutants showed a severe dwarf phenotype,with plant height of about 25 cm.Compared with wild-type DN47,the mutant snd1 exhibited no obvious morphological differences at the early stage of development.All the snd1 mutants examined had fewer nodes and shorter than normal internodes;the leaves were similar in shape to normal parents,but were dark-green at the mature stage.The flower size was similar to DN47;however,the flowering period was shorter than in the wild-type.Significant variation was noted for protein content,oil content of the seeds and size of seeds(weight of 100 seeds)among 17 snd1 dwarf lines.Genetic analysis indicated that the dwarfism of snd1 was controlled by a single recessive gene.The snd1 dwarf mutant had markedly different dynamic levels of the endogenous hormones gibberellin(GA),brassinosteroid,indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid,at the seedling stage.Exogenous GA3 treatment led to recovery of the plant height phenotype of the snd1 mutant;GA3 at 0.1 mm had the largest effect on enhancing plant height.Using molecular markers,snd1 gene was approximately mapped in an interval of 603 kb between markers Satt166 and Satt561 on chromosome 19.Snd1 mutant provided valuable material for hypoallergenic soybean breeding and the snd1 gene might be a novel gene related to plant height in soybean.

Identification of Co-dominant SSR Markers Associated with Genes Controlling α'- and cr-subunit-null β-conglycinin Phenotypes in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Studies have shown that the three subunits of β-conglycinin are the main potential allergens of soybean sensitive patients.And β-conglycinin has adverse effects on nutrition and food processing.So solation and production of lines with lowerβ-conglycinin content has been the focus of recent soybean breeding projects.Soybean lines with deficiency in one or all subunits of β-congIycinin have been obtained.An effective and rapid system to identify such mutations will facilitate genetic manipulation of the β-conglycinin subunit composition.Here,two segregating F2 populations were developed from crosses between Cgy-1/cgy-1(CC),anα'-lacking line(△α'),and DongNong 47(DN47),a wild-type(Wt)Chinese soybean cultivar with normal globulin components,and Cgy-2/cgy-2(CB),an a-lacking line(△α),and DN47.These populations were used to estimate linkage among the egy-1(conferring α'-null)and cgy-2(α-null)loci and simple sequence repeat(SSR)markers.Seven SSR markers(Sat_038,Satt243,Sat_307,Sat_109,Sat_231,Sat_108 and Sat_190)were determined to co-scgregate with cgy-1,and six SSR markers(Satt650,Satt671,Sat_418,Sat_170,Satt292 and Sat_324)co-segregated with cgy-2.Linkage maps being composed of seven SSR markers and egy-1 locus,and six SSR markers and the cgy-2 locus were then constructed.It assigned that the egy-1 gene to chromosome 10 at a position between Sat_307 and Sat_231,and the cgy-2 gene to chromosome 20 at a position between Satt650 and Satt671.These markers should enable map-based cloning of the egy-1 and cgy-2 genes.For different subunit-deficiency types[α'-null,α-null and(α'+α)-null types],the two sets of SSR markers could also detect of polymorphism between three normal cultivars and seven related mutant lines.The identification of these markers is great significance to the molecular marker-assisted breeding of soybean/9-conglycinin subunits.

Evaluation of Related Traits of GmTST2.1 and ZmGIF1 Genes in Soybean (Glycine Max)

Soybean(Glycine max)is one of the most important food crops and oil crops in the world.According to the role of sucrose transporter in sugar accumulation,GmTST2.1(Glyma.04G000300)and ZmGIF1 of sugar transport related genes were separately overexpressed in the soybean cultivar Heihe 43 from the perspective of regulatory source to library relationship in the study.The function of soluble sugar accumulation in grains layed a theoretical foundation for the cultivation of new varieties of high-yield genetically modified soybeans.The results showed that the height and 100-seed weight of the over-expressed GmTST2.1 gene were increased with 7%and 17.7%and the soluble sugar content was increased with 1.575 times as much as that of the wild-type soybean.The overexpressed ZmGIF1 gene was found to be 10%higher than that of plant height,1.8%higher than that of 100-seed weight and larger seed size and 1.3 times higher than that of soluble sugar content.Biological yields were increased in both GmTST2.1 and ZmGIF1 genes.

Allelopathic Potential of Some Crop Residues on the Germination and Growth of Soybean （Glycine max L,） Merrill

Allelopathic potentials of aqueous water extracts from residues of sorghum stem, maize inflorescence and rice husks on the germination of soybeans （Glycine max. L.） were investigated. The result showed that the extracts brought about a considerable inhibition in the germination of soybean seeds, reductions in the radicle and plumule lengths of soybean seedlings. Whereas, the extracts of maize inflorescence and rice husk had more inhibitory effects on the growth of soybean radicle, all the three extracts demonstrated pronounced inhibitory effects on the growth of the plumule. The retardation of soybean germination, radicle and plumule growths were concentration dependents as the degree of retardations increases with increase in the concentration of the extracts. Statistical analysis （ANOVA, P = 0.05） revealed that there were no significant differences in the germination, radicle and plumule growths at 24 and 48 h experimental time when compared to the control. However, statistical differences abound in the growth parameters at 72 and 144 h experimental time.

Effect of Different Potting Mixtures on Growth and Yield of Soybean （Glycine max L.） and Soil Microbial Activity

Soybean （Glycine max： Fabaceae） is a mycotrophic （mycorrhizal） crop grown commercially for human consumption. Seven different fertilizer mixtures, namely cow dung, coir dust, mush room medium waste, saw dust, compost, decaying leaves and field soil with standard dose of NPK （control） were used for this experiment. The variety used was PM 25. Soil microbial activity was measured using CO2 evolution method. The experiment was carried out as a complete randomized block design with five replicates at the rate of eight plants per replicate. Average number of leaves on 25-day and 45-day old plants, shoot-length, root-length, number of pods per plant, wet weight of pod per plant, dry weight of pod per plant, plant wet weight, plant dry weight and seed dry weight per pod were measured. All management practices were conducted according to recommendations of the Department of Agriculture from seed germination to harvesting. Data were analyzed using SAS program （9.1.3）. Highest number of pods/plant （100, 124, 102, 106） and dry-seed-weight in g/plant （12, 14.8, 12, 12） were recorded in those grown in cow dung, compost, decaying leaves and inorganic mixture （control） whereas the lowest pod production （8.7 pods/plant） and seed dry weight （1.0 g/plant） was recorded in saw dust. Instead of inorganic fertilizer there is possibility to use organic potting mixtures like compost and decaying leaves which gave a significant difference in crop productivity as compared to other treatments. Significantly highest mean microbial activity was observed in potting media filled with coir dust.

Foliar spraying of chlorpyrifos induces morphometric changes in Glycine max(L.)and shifts native soil microbiome

Pesticide usage alters plant growth,and development and disturbs native soil microbiome.The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Chlorpyrifos(CP-20%EC)on the growth and development of soybean(Glycine max),soil fertility,and soil microbiome.We conducted a pot experiment to assess the impact of different concentrations of chlorpyrifos;recommended dose(RD)and higher dose rates(2×and 4×RD).Chlorpyrifos application significantly altered the growth parameters in soybean(p<0.05).At higher concentrations(2×and 4×RD)shoot length(17.16±1.04;14.33±1.15,p<0.05),root length(3.40±0.36;2.66±0.28,p<0.050),leaf count(6.33±0.57;2.66±0.57;p<0.05)reduced significantly compared to RD and Control groups.Similarly at these concentrations(2×and 4×RD),significant reduction in fresh shoot weight(0.86±0.008;0.66±0.002,p<0.05),dry shoot weight(0.14±0.001;0.13±0.003,p<0.05)and root fresh weight(0.13±0.001;0.09±0.003,p<0.05)and root dry weight(0.030±0.0005,0.037±0.003,p<0.05)was observed compared to the RD and control group.Notably,a significant increase in root and shoot morphometric parameters was observed in RD compared to control(p<0.05).All the physio-chemical properties such as pH(8.51±0.82),moisture content(33.73±0.04),and electrical conductivity(3.44±0.03)were higher in CP-treated soils compared to control.Similarly,nutrient content such as nitrogen,carbon,and hydrogen were significantly reduced in treated soils compared to control.Elemental analysis showed higher concentrations of As,Cd,and Pb in CP-treated soil(8.7 mg/g,0.254 mg/g,and 16.477 mg/g,respectively)compared to untreated soil(8.09 mg/g,0.228 mg/g,and 15.25 mg/g,respectively).We also assessed soil metabolic activity and diversity using Community-level Physiological Profiling(CLPP).CP-treated soil exhibited significantly lesser microbial diversity,with lesser metabolic activity.Metagenomic analysis revealed a shift in bacterial community composition,with Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota dominating CP-treated soil,while Actinomycetota,Pseudomonadota,and Bacillota were prominent in the control group.Alpha diversity indices indicated higher abundance and species richness in the control sample compared to treatment groups.Functional analysis via PICRUSt2 identified 32 unique sub-classes of biodegrading genes in soil samples,including atzD,tfdA,argB,GLDC,gcvP,glxR,and cpdB.This suggests the potential of soil microbes for xenobiotic degradation,including pesticides.In summary,our study demonstrates that higher CP doses negatively impact soybean growth and alter soil composition,leading to reduced metabolic activity and changes in microbial communities.These findings underscore the importance of considering pesticide dosage and its ecological implications on plants,soil microbiome,and sustainable agriculture.

Systemically functional characterization of regiospecific flavonoid O-methyltransferases from Glycine max

Plants produce diverse flavonoids for defense and stress resistance,most of which have health benefits and are widely used as food additives and medicines.Methylation of the free hydroxyl groups of flavonoids,catalyzed by S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferases(OMTs),significantly affects their physicochemical properties and bioactivities.Soybeans(Glycine max)contain a rich pool of O-methylated flavonoids.However,the OMTs responsible for flavonoid methylation in G.max remain largely unknown.We screened the G.max genome and obtained 22 putative OMT-encoding genes that share a broad spectrum of amino acid identities(25–96%);among them,19 OMTs were successfully cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli.We used the flavonoids containing the free 3,5,7,8,3′,4′hydroxyl group,such as flavones(luteolin and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone),flavonols(kaempferol and quercetin),flavanones(naringenin and eriodictyol),isoflavonoids(daidzein and glycetein),and caffeic acid as substrates,and 15 OMTs were proven to catalyze at least one substrate.The methylation activities of these GmOMTs covered the 3,7,8,3′,4′-hydroxyl of flavonoids and 7,4′-hydroxyl of isoflavonoids.The systematic characterization of G.max flavonoid OMTs provides insights into the biosynthesis of methylated flavonoids in soybeans and OMT bioparts for the production of methylated flavonoids via synthetic biology.

聚苯乙烯纳米塑料(PSNPs)对大豆(Glycine max)种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响

为探讨微塑料对农作物的生态毒理效应,研究了两种粒径(20 nm和100 nm)聚苯乙烯纳米塑料(Polystyrene Nanoplastics, PSNPs)在6个浓度梯度(0、50、100、200、500和1000 mg·L^-1)下对大豆(Glycine max)种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,两种粒径PSNPs均抑制种子发芽能力(发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、平均发芽速度和发芽率),其中,发芽抑制率在一定程度上与暴露时间呈负相关关系. 20 nm和100 nm PSNPs对根长、芽长和苗长的影响整体呈"低浓度促进,中高浓度抑制"的规律. 20 nm PSNPs对根尖数量无显著影响,而100 nm PSNPs则表现出促进作用. 20 nm和100 nm PSNPs对根直径和干重均有抑制作用.综上, PSNPs的植物毒性与粒径和浓度密切相关,在中等浓度(200 mg·L^-1)时,其对大豆幼苗生长的毒害作用最大.

Genome-Wide Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Heat Shock Transcription Factor Family in Glycine max

Heat shock transcription factors （Hsfs） play an essential role on the increased tolerance against heat stress by regulating the expression of heat-responsive genes. In this study, a genome-wide analysis was performed to identify all of the soybean （Glycine max） GmHsfgenes based on the latest soybean genome sequence. Chromosomal location, protein domain, motif organization, and phylogenetic relationships of 26 non-redundant GmHsf genes were analyzed compared with AtHsfs （Arabidopsis thaliana Hsfs）. According to their structural features, the predicted members were divided into the previously defined classes A-C, as described for AtHsfs. Transcript levels and subcellular localization of five GmHsfs responsive to abiotic stresses were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. These results provide a fundamental clue for understanding the complexity of the soybean GmHsfgene family and cloning the functional genes in future studies.