GmSTF accumulation mediated by DELLA protein GmRGAs contributes to coordinating light and gibberellin signaling to reduce plant height in soybean

Plant height influences plant architecture,lodging resistance,and yield performance.It is modulated by gibberellic acid(GA)metabolism and signaling.DELLA proteins,acting as central repressors of GA signaling,integrate various environmental and hormonal signals to regulate plant growth and development in Arabidopsis.We examined the role of two DELLA proteins,GmRGAa and GmRGAb,in soybean plant height control.Knockout of these proteins led to longer internodes and increased plant height,primarily by increasing cell elongation.GmRGAs functioned under different light conditions,including red,blue,and far-red light,to repress plant height.Interaction studies revealed that GmRGAs interacted with the blue light receptor GmCRY1b.Consistent with this,GmCRY1b partially regulated plant height via GmRGAs.Additionally,DELLA proteins were found to stabilize the protein GmSTF1/2,a key positive regulator of photomorphogenesis.This stabilization led to increased transcription of GmGA2ox-7b and subsequent reduction in plant height.This study enhances our understanding of DELLA-mediated plant height control,offering Gmrgaab mutants for soybean structure and yield optimization.

Development of 2BZJ-3/4 Precision Planter for Soybean Narrow-row flatdense Planting Method

Based on the study on cultivation models of soybean narrow-row-flat-dense planting under the conditions of different between-row spacing and inter-plant spacing by using the comparison field experiment, and technical studies of the contour following the seeder unit, the anti-block, the lateral and stratified the deep fertilizing, according to the design ideas of planting units integration and variable between-row spacing from 30 to 45 cm, the 2BZJ-3/4 precision planter matched with 18-32 hp tractors has been developed for the popularization of the narrow-row-flat-dense planting soybean technique by means of Virtual Prototyping （VP） technology.

Effects of Planting and Maturity Dates on Shattering Patterns under Early Soybean Production System

Seed shattering is a common problem in early soybean production system (ESPS) in the Midsouth, which mainly uses maturity group (MG) IV soybeans. Many studies have been conducted on the genetics of soybean shattering resistance for individual varieties;however, information on the physiology of soybean shattering pattern under specific environmental conditions, which is often critical to soybean growers, is very limited. Field experiments were conducted at Stoneville MS from 2007 to 2009 to investigate the shattering patterns of 80-132 MG IV soybean varieties each year. Results from 2007 and 2008 indicated that, when April-planted MG IV soybeans matured in mid- to late August, pods of most soybean varieties did not shatter within the first three weeks after maturity (WAM) and there was no significant shattering effect on final yields. However, differences in pod shattering among the varieties became apparent in the fourth WAM. Late-planted MG IV soybeans, which matured in early September, had a low shattering rate and could hold seeds up to 6 WAM before reaching a critical shattering point. Most soybean varieties planted in April 2009 did not show significant pod shattering by the end of the fourth WAM. The critical point of shattering was not reached until 6 - 7 WAM. Relatively lower temperatures and abundant rainfall during the late growing season in 2009 may be the main reasons causing delayed shattering in April-planted MG IV soybeans. Results from the May-planting of 2007 and the April-planting of 2009 indicated that soybeans maturing after September have much less problematic shattering. Different weather patterns, especially temperature and rainfall in each year could be essential factors affecting seed shattering patterns.

Year-to-Year and Maturity Variation in Rainfed Soybean Yield by Planting Dates

The interactions on rainfed soybean yield among planting date, maturity, and year-to-yearclimate change were studied using CROPGRO-soybean model. Simulations were based on 19 plantingdates, maturity groupsⅢ, ⅣandⅤ, 30 years recorded weather data from Corbin, Suffolk,West Point in Virginia, USA. Yield was similar on early plantings and went down with lateplantings. Both grand and year-to-year variation of soybean yield declined linearly withplanting date. Year-to-year climate variation was dominant yield variation source inrainfed soybean production. Interaction occurred between planting date and maturity.Optimal planting dates for different sites lied within 130th-170th day of a year.Irrigation is recommended for profitable crops, especially in Corbin and West Point.

Effects of Planting Density and Cutting Time on Hay Yield and Nutritional Value of Forage Soybean HN389

Forage soybean is an important source of high protein forage.Variety screening and breeding not only can solve the adjustment of agricultural planting structure,but also can provide a large amount of high-protein forage material,and effectively solve the problem of a serious shortage of high-protein forage in herbivorous animal husbandry in China.In this study,the feeding-type soybean strain HN389 was selected as experimental material,with three planting densities of 270000,405000 and 540000 plants•hm^(-2) and three cutting periods of the initial pod stage(R1),the initial grain stage(R2)and the early mature stage(R3)were set to determine the yield and feeding quality,in order to obtain the best planting density and harvest time of the variety.The results showed that in forage soybean strain HN389 at the R1 and R2 stages,plant height increased with increasing planting densities,while fresh and dry weight per plant decreased with increasing planting densities,and there was no significant difference at the R3 stage.The yield of hay at the R1,R2 and R3 stages increased firstly and then decreased with the increase of planting densities,and the yield per hectare was R3>R2>R1.The order of contents of crude protein(CP),neutral detergent fibers(NDF)and acid detergent fiber(ADF)in feeding quality of HN389 were R2>R1>R3,and ether extract(EE)content order was R3>R1>R2,and there was no significant difference among different groups.Two principal components were extracted from five forage indexes including CP,NDF,ADF,EE and fresh grass yield by principal component analysis.The cumulative contribution rate of principal components 1 and 2 was 90.053%,and their characteristic values were 3.617 and 0.885,respectively.After a comprehensive evaluation,harvested at the R3 stage and the density was 405000 plants•hm^(-2),HN389 had the highest comprehensive score of 0.344,yield of 38035.53 kg•hm^(-2),CP,NDF,ADF and EE contents of 17.61%,17.61%,21.54%and 3.81%,respectively.

Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics of High-Yield Soybean[Glycine max(L.)Merr.]Under Different Planting Densities,Different Fertilization Rates,and Single/Mixed Planting Patterns

Understanding the photosynthetic characteristics of high-yield soybean[Glycine max(L.)Merr]cultivar(HYC)would aid research aiming at investigating the soybean high yield formation mechanism and optimization of cultivation system.To assess the photosynthesis of HYC,a pot experiment was conducted to quantify the differences in photosynthetic characteristics between HYC and common-yield soybean cultivar(CC)under different planting densities,fertilization rates,and single/mixed planting patterns.The leaf greenness(Lg),net photosynthetic rate(Ph),stomatal conductance(St)and transpiration rate(Tr)were significantly higher in HYC than CC mainly in seed-filling stages.HYC was more tolerant to dense and mixed planting because the decreases of Ph and St under high planting density and those of Ph,St,and Tr under mixed planting were lower in HYC than CC.The Lg and Ph in HYC were more superior to those in CC at high fertilization rate.Thus,the HYC has a superior performance in photosynthetic characteristics under the varied cultivation practices,which may contribute to the greater seed yield in HYC than CC.

Commercial genetically modified corn and soybean are poised following pilot planting in China

"Who will feed China?"This was a question raised by Lester Brown,the director of the World Watch Institute in the United States,in 1994.He predicted that China's grain production would decrease from 340 million tons in 1990 to 272 million tons by 2030,a 20%decrease,while China's population would reach 1.6 billion(Brown,1995).If the dietary structure was not improved,China would need to import 200-369 million tons of grain,equivalent to the global grain trade at the time.He projected the high possibility of a food crisis in China,which might further trigger a global food crisis.However,with the joint efforts of national agricultural researchers,represented by Yuan Longping,and the Chinese government,China's grain production has achieved 18 consecutive increases from 2004 to 2021.In 2022,grain production in China reached 633 million tons(NBS and Statistics,2022),while the population remained stable at 1.4 billion.As a result,China has achieved complete self-sufficiency in its staple food supply and has demonstrated to the international community through practical actions that the Chinese people can feed themselves.

Genomic dissection of widely planted soybean cultivars leads to a new breeding strategy of crops in the post-genomic era

Soybeans specially the widely planted cultivars have been dramatically improved in agronomic performance and is well adapted to local planting environments after long-time domestication and breeding.Uncovering the unique genomic features of popular cultivars will help to understand how soybean genomes have been modified through breeding.We re-sequenced 134 soybean cultivars that were released and most widely planted over the last century in China.Phylogenetic analyses established that these cultivars comprise two geographically distinct sub-populations:Northeast China (NE) versus the HuangHuai-Hai River Valley and South China (HS).A total of 309 selective regions were identified as being impacted by geographical origins.The HS sub-population exhibited higher genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium decayed more rapidly compared to the NE sub-population.To study the association between phenotypic differences and geographical origins,we recorded the vegetative period under different growing conditions for two years,and found that clustering based on the phenotypic data was closely correlated with cultivar geographical origin.By iteratively calculating accumulated genetic diversity,we established a platform panel of cultivars and have proposed a novel breeding strategy named "Potalaization"for selecting and utilizing the platform cultivars that represent the most genetically diversity and the highest available agronomic performance as the "plateau"for accumulating elite loci and traits,breeding novel widely adapted cultivars,and upgrading breeding technology.In addition to providing new genomic information for the soybean research community,the "Potalaization"strategy that we devised will also be practical for integrating the conventional and molecular breeding programs of crops in the post-genomic era.

Study on Plant Morphological Traits and Production Characteristics of Super High-Yielding Soybean

Super high-yielding soybean cultivar Liaodou 14, soybean cultivars from Ohio in the United States, and the common soybean cultivars from Liaoning Province, China, with similar geographic latitudes and identical pod-bearing habits were used as the study materials for a comparison of morphological traits and production characteristics to provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of improved super high-yielding soybean cultivars. Using a randomized block design, different soybean cultivars from the same latitude were compared under conventional and unconventional treatments for their production characteristics, including morphological traits, leaf area index （LAI）, net photosynthesis rate, and dry matter accumulation. The specific characteristics of the super high-yielding soybean cultivar Liaodou 14 were analyzed. The results showed that the plant height of Liaodou 14 was significantly lower than that of the common cultivars from Liaoning, whereas the number of its main-stem nodes was higher than that of the cultivars from Ohio or Liaoning. A high pod density was observed in Liaodou 14 under conventional treatments. Under both conventional and unconventional treatments, the branch number of Liaodou 14 was markedly higher than that of the common cultivars from Liaoning, and its branch length and leaf inclination angle were significantly higher than those of common cultivars from Liaoning or Ohio. Only small changes in the leaf inclination angle were observed in Liaodou 14 treated with conventional or unconventional methods. Under each treatment, Liaodou 14 exhibited the lowest amplitude of reduction in SPAD values and net photosynthesis rates from the grain-filling to ripening stages; the cultivars from Ohio and the common cultivars from Liaoning exhibited more significant reductions. Liaodou 14 reached its peak LAI later than the other cultivars but maintained its LAI at a higher level for a longer duration. Under both conventional and unconventional treatments, Liaodou 14 produced a higher yield than the other two cultivars, with significant differences from the Ohio cultivars. In summary, super high-yielding soybean cultivars have several main features： suitable plant height, high pod density, good leaf structure with strong functionality, and slow leaf senescence at the late reproductive stage, which is conducive to the accumulation of dry matter and improved yield.

Effect of Plant Density on Modern Soybean Cultivars Released from Ohio and Liaoning

Seeding rate is an important management practice for soybean production.Chinese and U.S.soybean growers use different seeding rates,and breeders in the two countries have developed cultivars adapted to respective plant densities.The objective of this study was to compare the effect of plant density on cultivars recently released in different breeding programs,using four cultivars developed in Liaoning,China and four in Ohio,USA.We used 3 plant density treatments(7.5,15.0,22.5 x 104 plants/hm2) and assessed yield and agronomic traits from 2004 to 2006 in Liaoning.There was no significant effect of plant density on yield for either group of the cultivars.The average yield of Ohio cultivars was higher than that of Liaoning cultivars,and there was no significant interaction between plant density and cultivar for all the assessed traits.The plant height of Liaoning cultivars was significantly higher than that of Ohio cultivars,and there was a significant effect of plant density on plant height.The average branch number of Ohio cultivars was larger than that of Liaoning cultivars;higher plant density reduced the branch number per plant greatly.Plant density had a signifi-cant effect on the node number and internode length,Liaoning cultivars generally had longer internode length.Plant density had a significant effect on seed yield:stem ratio,as the plant density increased the seed yield:stem ratio decreased for both groups of cultivars.However,100-seed weight was not affected by plant density.

Identification and characterization of long-InDels through whole genome resequencing to facilitate fine-mapping of a QTL for plant height in soybean(Glycine max L.Merr.)

With the development of sequencing technology, insertions-deletions(InDels) have been increasingly reported to be involved in the genetic determination of agronomical traits. However, most studies have focused on the identification and application of short-InDels(1–15 bp) for genetic analysis. The objective of this study was to deeply deploy long-InDels(>15 bp) for the genetic analysis of important agronomic traits in soybean. A total of 13 573 polymorphic long-InDels were identified between parents Zhongpin 03-5373(ZP) and Zhonghuang 13(ZH), which were unevenly distributed on 20 chromosomes of soybean, varying from 321 in Chr11 to 1 246 in Chr18. Consistent with the distribution pattern of annotated genes, the average density of long-InDels in arm regions was significantly higher than that in pericentromeric regions at the P=0.01 level. A total of 2 704(19.9% of total) long-InDels were located in genic regions, including 319 large-effect long-InDels, which resulted in truncated or elongated protein sequences. A previously identified QTL(qP H16) underlying plant height was further analyzed, and it was found that 26 out of 35(74.3%) long-InDel markers located in the qPH16 region showed clear polymorphisms between parents ZP and ZH. Seven markers, including three long-InDels and four previously reported SNP markers, were used to genotype 242 recombinant inbred lines derived from ZP×ZH. As a result, the qPH16 locus was narrowed from a 960-kb region to a 477.55-kb region, containing 65 annotated genes. Therefore, these long-InDels are a complementary genetic resource of SNPs and short-InDels for plant height and can facilitate genetic studies and molecular assisted selection breeding in soybean.

QTL analysis for plant height and fine mapping of two environmentally stable QTLs with major effects in soybean

Plant height is an important agronomic trait, which is governed by multiple genes with major or minor effects. Of numerous QTLs for plant height reported in soybean, most are in large genomic regions, which results in a still unknown molecular mechanism for plant height. Increasing the density of molecular markers in genetic maps will significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of QTL mapping. This study constructed a high-density genetic map using 4 011 recombination bin markers developed from whole genome re-sequencing of 241 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) and their bi-parents, Zhonghuang 13(ZH) and Zhongpin 03-5373(ZP). The total genetic distance of this bin map was 3 139.15 cM,with an average interval of 0.78 cM between adjacent bin markers. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that this genetic map showed a high collinearity with the soybean reference genome. Based on this bin map, nine QTLs for plant height were detected across six environments, including three novel loci(qPH-b_11, qPH-b_17 and qPH-b_18). Of them, two environmentally stable QTLs qPH-b_13 and qPH-b_19-1 played a major role in plant height, which explained 10.56-32.7% of the phenotypic variance. They were fine-mapped to 440.12 and 237.06 kb region, covering 54 and 28 annotated genes, respectively. Via the function of homologous genes in Arabidopsis and expression analysis, two genes of them were preferentially predicted as candidate genes for further study.

Different genotypes regulate the microbial community structure in the soybean rhizosphere

The soybean rhizosphere has a specific microbial community,but the differences in microbial community structure between different soybean genotypes have not been explained.The present study analyzed the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community in three soybean genotypes.Differences in rhizosphere microbial communities between different soybean genotypes were verified using diversity testing and community composition,and each genotype had a specific rhizosphere microbial community composition.Co-occurrence network analysis found that different genotype plant hosts had different rhizosphere microbial networks.The relationship between rhizobia and rhizosphere microorganisms in the network also exhibited significant differences between different genotype plant hosts.The ecological function prediction found that different genotypes of soybean recruited the specific rhizosphere microbial community.These results demonstrated that soybean genotype regulated rhizosphere microbial community structure differences.The study provides a reference and theoretical support for developing soybean microbial inoculum in the future.

Ideal type 1 is caused by a point mutation in the a-tubulin gene that affects microtubule arrangement in soybean

Plant architecture is a target of crop improvement.The soybean mutant ideal type 1(it1)displays a pleiotropic phenotype characterized by compact plant architecture,reduced plant height,shortened petioles,wrinkled leaves,and indented seeds.Genetic analysis revealed that the pleiotropic phenotype was controlled by an incomplete dominant gene.We characterized the cellular phenotypes of it1 and positionally cloned the it1 locus.Detailed morphogenetic analysis of the it1 mutant revealed an excess of xylem cells and expanded phloem,and polygonal pavement cells.Positional cloning showed that the phenotype was caused by a G-to-A mutation in the second exon of the a-tubulin gene(Glyma.05G157300).The mutation altered microtubule arrangement in pavement cells,changing their morphology.Overexpression of Gmit1 resulted in an it1-like phenotype and polygonal pavement cells and microtubules of overexpressors were parallel or slightly inclined.Five suppressor mutants able to suppress the phenotype of it1 were obtained by EMS mutagenesis in the it1 background.All these mutants carried an additional mutation in the it1 gene.These results suggest that the pleiotropic phenotype of it1 is caused by the mutation in the atubulin gene.

Host niche, genotype, and field location shape the diversity and composition of the soybean microbiome

Plant-associated microbes represent a key determinant of plant fitness through acquiring nutrients,promoting growth,and resisting to abiotic and biotic stresses.However,an extensive characterization of the bacterial and fungal microbiomes present in different plant compartments of soybean in field conditions has remained elusive.In this study,we investigated the effects of four niches(roots,stems,leaves,and pods),four genotypes(Andou 203,Hedou 12,Sanning 16,and Zhonghuang 13),and three field locations(Jining,Suzhou,and Xuzhou)on the diversity and composition of bacterial and fungal communities in soybean using 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA amplicon sequencing,respectively.The soybean microbiome significantly differed across organs.Host genotypes explained more variation in stem bacterial community composition and leaf fungal community composition.Field location significantly affected the composition of bacterial communities in all compartments and the effects were stronger in the root and stem than in the leaf and pod,whereas field location explained more variation in stem and leaf fungal community composition than in the root and pod.The relative abundances of potential soybean fungal pathogens also differed among host organs and genotypes,reflecting the niches of these microbes in the host and probably their compatibility to the host genotypes.Systematic profiling of the microbiome composition and diversity will aid the development of plant protection technologies to benefit soybean health.

大豆株型与产量相关性状QTL定位及候选基因预测

为探究与大豆株型和产量相关QTL位点及候选基因,对以东农42(♀)和东农50(♂)为亲本,与168个家系构建的F_(2:12)、F_(2:13)重组自交系(Recombination inbred lines,RILs)群体的株高、分枝数、四粒荚数、百粒重性状测定表型数据,运用IBM SPSS Statistics、R语言进行统计和相关性分析,并利用完备区间作图法(Inclusive composite interval mapping,ICIM)进行加性效应及上位效应分析,共计定位到43个QTL位点,贡献率超过10%的主效位点为14个,包括株高3个、分枝数8个、四粒荚数1个和百粒重2个;其中11个位点与前人已报道位点重合,分别位于4、6、8、16和19号染色体上;qBN-6-2(13.21%)、qBN-6-5(19.96%)和qBN-6-6(13.69%)为3个环境重复定位到的位点,qHSW-19-1与多个已报道位点均有重合。通过上位性分析,获得株高、分枝数、四粒荚数和百粒重位点分别为3、6、6和62对。根据所定位到的物理区间和定量预测,筛选到Glyma.04G238800、Glyma.03G181600、Glyma.08G271900、Glyma.18G278800和Glyma.19G187000等5个与株高、分枝数、四粒荚数和百粒重性状相关的候选基因,为分子辅助育种奠定基础。

玉米大豆带状复合种植模式研究

为探讨适宜云南玉米大豆带状复合种植模式,2022年选用玉米云瑞668和大豆台湾75-3为试验材料进行大田试验,研究玉米大豆带状复合种植不同模式下不同处理对玉米和大豆农艺性状和产量构成因素的影响。结果表明,可机械化作业的田块应优先选用玉米大豆行比4∶4和4∶3模式,山区或半山区推广玉米大豆行比2∶2模式。该研究为玉米、大豆带状复合种植在云南省保山市及气候类似地区推广提供了理论依据。

植物基乳产业的发展趋势与技术创新

植物基乳产品作为植物基食品产业的重要组成部分,其发展水平对促进植物基食品产业有着举足轻重的作用。分析了全球植物基乳产品的市场规模和我国植物乳产品的市场情况:2023年,全球规模为296亿美元,并以11.4%的速度增长;我国植物基饮品包括豆奶、椰奶、核桃乳、杏仁乳等呈稳定性增长趋势,粉体类产品市场也较稳定(达30万t)。指出植物基乳作为未来食品需要进一步完善定义,充分体现植物基乳特征和属性要求;要加大力度开发满足新消费场景和渠道的新技术、新产品,解决消费者关心的植物基乳产品口味、价格和清洁标签等关键问题,加快植物基酸奶、冷饮等技术的成熟和落地,并通过开发满足不同消费场景、特殊营养、健康需求的产品,为植物基乳产品价值和市场竞争力赋能,创立多元化的植物基乳产业发展新模式。

大豆玉米带状种植模式下玉米摘穗机设计与试验

针对丘陵山区大豆玉米带状种植模式的玉米果穗收获有机难用、无机可用的现状,设计一款自走式小型玉米摘穗机。该机采用纵卧式摘穗辊实现果穗摘取,并通过输送装置收集装袋;采用“Y”型布局的L型小甩刀实现茎秆粉碎。对摘穗过程进行动力学分析、对粉碎过程进行静力学分析,确定其核心装置设计参数并进行样机试制。以茎秆粉碎长度合格率、果穗损失率、籽粒破碎率为试验指标进行田间试验,来验证该机设计的合理性。试验表明:在生产率为0.8 hm^(2)/d、果穗籽粒含水率为26.38%、茎秆含水量为71.25%的条件下进行试验,茎秆粉碎长度合格率为92.4%、果穗损失率为2.06%、籽粒破碎率为0.61%。该机设计各项指标符合国家相关标准,能够满足丘陵山地地区玉米机械化收获需求。