BnaUBP15s positively regulates seed size and seed weight in Brassica napus

Brassica napus(B.napus)is a globally significant oilseed crop,making a substantial contribution to both human oil and livestock feed production.Enhancing seed weight is crucial for improving rapeseed yield;however,only a limited number of seed weight-related genes have been functionally validated in B.napus thus far.UBIQUITINSPECIFIC PROTEASE 15(UBP15)belongs to the ubiquitin protease pathway and plays a maternal role in prolonging seed development in Arabidopsis.The potential utilization of UBP15 for enhancing seed yield in B.napus has remained unexplored until now.In this study,we identified the orthologs of UBP15 in B.napus and investigated its functionality using the CRISPR-Cas9 system.We generated mutant plants with multiple editing types targeting Bnaubp15s and successfully isolated T-DNA-free homozygous mutant lines that exhibited edits across four homologs of BnaUBP15 in T2 generation plants.Our preliminary data demonstrated that mutation of BnaUBP15s significantly reduced seed size,seed weight,and plant height while noticeably increasing the number of primary branches.These findings not only provide crucial evidence for further elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of seed weight and size by BnaUBP15s but also offer promising novel germplasm for enhancing plant architecture.

Genetic dissection of and genomic selection for seed weight, pod length,and pod width in soybean

A biparental soybean population of 364 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)derived from Zhongdou 41×ZYD02.878 was used to identify quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with hundred-seed weight(100-SW),pod length(PL),and pod width(PW).100-SW,PL,and PW showed moderate correlations among one another,and 100-SW was correlated most strongly with PW(0.64–0.74).Respectively 74,70,75 and19 QTL accounting for 38.7%–78.8%of total phenotypic variance were identified by inclusive composite interval mapping,restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association analysis,3 variancecomponent multi-locus random-SNP-effect mixed linear model analysis,and conditional genome-wide association analysis.Of these QTL,189 were novel,and 24 were detected by multiple methods.Six loci were associated with 100-SW,PL,and PW and may be pleiotropic loci.A total of 284 candidate genes were identified in colocalizing QTL regions,including the verified gene Seed thickness 1(ST1).Eleven genes with functions involved in pectin biosynthesis,phytohormone,ubiquitin-protein,and photosynthesis pathways were prioritized by examining single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)variation,calculating genetic differentiation index,and inquiring gene expression.The prediction accuracies of genomic selection(GS)for 100-SW,PL,and PW based on single trait-associated markers reached 0.82,0.76,and 0.86 respectively,but selection index(SI)-assisted GS strategy did not increase GS efficiency and inclusion of trait-associated markers as fixed effects reduced prediction accuracy.These results shed light on the genetic basis of 100-SW,PL,and PW and provide GS models for these traits with potential application in breeding programs.

Detection of new candidate genes controlling seed weight by integrating gene coexpression analysis and QTL mapping in Brassica napus L.

Seed weight is a component of seed yield in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.).Although quantitative trait loci(QTL)for seed weight have been reported in rapeseed,only a few causal quantitative trait genes(QTGs)have been identified,resulting in a limitation in understanding of seed weight regulation.We constructed a gene coexpression network at the early seed developmental stage using transcripts of 20,408 genes in QTL intervals and 1017 rapeseed homologs of known genes from other species.Among the 10 modules in this gene coexpression network,modules 1 and 2 were core modules and contained genes involved in source–flow–sink processes such as synthesis and transportation of fatty acid and protein,and photosynthesis.A hub gene SERINE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE-LIKE 19(SCPL19)was identified by candidate gene association analysis in rapeseed and functionally investigated using Arabidopsis T-DNA mutant and overexpression lines.Our study demonstrates the power of gene coexpression analysis to prioritize candidate genes from large candidate QTG sets and enhances the understanding of molecular mechanism for seed weight at the early developmental stage in rapeseed.

Maturity indices of Indian horse-chestnut (Aesculus indica Colebr.) seeds under temperate Kashmir conditions

Our study on maturity indices of Aesculus indica Colebr. seeds was conducted under temperate Kashmir conditions in 2006. Seed collection was started from 15 July and continued until the maturation of seeds in December. The seeds were harvested fortnightly from identified trees and on each collection date maturity indices, viz. seed color, seed weight, moisture content, seed dimension, specific gravity and germination percentage were recorded. The study revealed that at the time of maturity （Nov.-Dec.） the seed color was a shiny chocolate brown, with a moisture content of 58.37% and a specific gravity of 0.82. Germination was maximum （80%） at its maturity with a maximum seed weight of 52.03 g per seed. We recommend that the seeds should be collected before their natural disposal.

Dt1 inhibits SWEET-mediated sucrose transport to regulate photoperiod-dependent seed weight in soybean

Soybean is a photoperiod-sensitive short-day crop whose reproductive period and yield are markedly affected by day-length changes.Seed weight is one of the key traits determining the soybean yield;how-ever,the prominent genes that control the final seed weight of soybean and the mechanisms underlying the photoperiod's effect on this trait remain poorly understood.In this study,we identify SwW19 as a major locus controlling soybean seed weight by QTL mapping and determine Dt1,an orthologous gene of Arabidopsis TFL1 that is known to govern the soybean growth habit,as the causal gene of the SW19 locus.We showed that Dt1 is highly expressed in developing seeds and regulates photoperiod-dependent seed weight in soybean.Further analyses revealed that the Dt1 protein physically interacts with the sucrose transporter GmSWEET10a to negatively regulate the import of sucrose from seed coat to the embryo,thus modulating seed weight under long days.However,Dt1 does not function in seed development under short days due to its very low expression.Importantly,we discovered a novel natural allelic variant of Dt1(H4 haplotype)that decouples its pleiotropic effects on seed size and growth habit;i.e.,this variant remains functional in seed development but fails to regulate the stem growth habit of soybean.Collectively,our findings provide new insights into how soybean seed development responds to photoperiod at different latitudes,offering an ideal genetic component for improving soybean's yield by manipulating its seed weightandgrowth habit.

Reaction of Sorghum Differentials to Grain Mold Infection in Puerto Rico

Grain mold, associated with many fungi, is the most important disease of sorghum, causing both yield and quality losses. In this study, 23 sorghum differentials used in pathotype characterization of anthracnose and head smut pathogens were evaluated for grain mold resistance under favorable conditions in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Lines BTx643 and IS18760 exhibited the lowest grain mold severity, indicating that these two may possess genes for grain mold resistance. These two lines also recorded the highest germination rates 94.7% and 97.6%, respectively, and their seed weight was among the heaviest. In conclusion, these two lines can be utilized in breeding programs to develop grain mold-resistant hybrid lines.

Effect of Lime and Phosphorus on Yield and Yield Components of Groundnut Varieties [Arachis hypogaea L.] on Acidic Soil in Nedjo District, Western Ethiopia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in western Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is very low mainly because of strong soil acidity and poor soil fertility management. A study conducted to evaluate the effect of lime and mineral phosphorus fertilizer on yield components and yield of groundnut. The treatments consisted of three phosphorus rates (0, 46 and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1), three lime rates (0, 6, and 11 ton lime·ha-1), and three groundnut varieties (local cultivar, Werer-961, and Werer-963) was laid-out as a randomized complete design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The corresponding rates of phosphorus applied per pot of soil (7 kg) amounted to 0, 107 and 215 mg kg·soil-1 and those of lime amounted to 0, 14, and 26 g kg·soil-1. The analysis of variance showed that phenological characters, yield, and yield components significantly affected by interaction of variety, phosphorus, and lime. The highest dry pod yield produced by Werer-963 (2 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) in response to the application 11 t·ha-1 lime and 46 kg P2O5·ha-1. However, Werer-961 produced medium (1.5 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) at 11 t·ha-1 lime and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1 and the local cultivar produced minimum (1 kg dry pod yield·pot-1) at the application of 11 t·ha-1 lime and 92 kg P2O5·ha-1. In terms of phosphorus yield efficiency index, Werer-963 was highly efficient (index of 1.71), and Werer-961 was moderately efficient (index of 0.6). However, the local cultivar was inefficient (index of 0.04). It is at, in acidic soil of the study area Werer-963 is the best to be cultivated with application of lime 11 t·ha-1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha-1 fertilizer, followed by Werer-961. The results of this pot experiment have revealed that farmers in the study area need to switch to cultivating the improved varieties of groundnut rather than local variety with the application of high rates of lime and moderate amounts of phosphorus.

Agro-Morphological Variability in Eight Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Morphotypes from Zinder (Niger)

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) has economic importance for the producers and the traders as cash crop since it generates substantial income for households in Niger. The objective of this study was to assess eight (8) Bambara groundnut morphotype from Université André Salifou de Zinder in Niger Republic by their morphological and agronomic characters. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the rainy season of 2020-2021. Data were collected on the Number of leaves, Plant height (cm), Growth habit (cm), Terminal leaflet length, Terminal leaflet width, Number of nodes/stem, Number of stems/plant, Number of pods/plant, Weight of 100 pods (g), Weight of 100 seeds (g), Length of seeds (mm), Width of seeds (mm), Weight of seeds/Plot (kg). There were significant differences for all characters, except Number of leaves, Terminal leaflet length, Terminal leaflet width, Length of seeds (mm) Weight of 100 pods (g), Weight of 100 seeds (g). The morphotypes UZ-VZ-04, UZ-VZ-03, UZ-VZ-06, UZ-VZ-02 and UZ-VZ-05 have demonstrated good performance for grain weight per plot and can be useful for a breeding program.

Diversity in seed oil content and fatty acid composition in Acer species with potential as sources of nervonic acid

Nervonic acid(NA,cis-15-tetracosenoic acid)is a very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to be a core component of nerve fibers and nerve cells.It can be used to treat and prevent many neurological diseases.At present,commercially available NA is mainly derived from Acer truncatum seeds,which contain about 5%e6%NA in their seed oil.The aim of this study were to identify and analyze NA-containing Acer species that could be used as NA resource plants.For this purpose,46 Acer species seeds were collected in China and in some or all of the seed oils from these species 15 fatty acids were detected,including linoleic acid,oleic acid(C18:1D9,C18:1D11),erucic acid,palmitic acid,NA,linolenic acid(C18:3D6,9,12,C18:3D9,12,15),eicosenoic acid(C20:1D11,C20:1D13),stearic acid,behenic acid,tetracosanoic acid,arachidic acid,and docosadienoic acid.Nervonic acid was detected in all samples,but the content was highly variable among species.NA content over 9%was detected in eleven species,of which Acer elegantulum had the highest levels(13.90%).The seed oil content,seed weight,and fatty acid profiles varied among species,but the comprehensive evaluation value(W)showed that A.coriaceifolium could be a new potential NA resources plant.The results also showed that NA was significantly negatively correlated with palmitic acid,oleic acid,and eicosenoic acid,but positively correlated with eicosadienoic acid,behenic acid,erucic acid,and tetracosanoic acid,which indicate the probable pathway for NA biosynthesis in Acer plants.This study has identified Acer species that may serve as NA resources and will help guide subsequent species breeding programs.

Effects of grazing intensity on seed production of Caragana stenophylla along a climatic aridity gradient in the Inner Mongolia Steppe,China

As the increases of climatic aridity and grazing intensity, shrubs play an increasingly important role in grassland ecosystem in arid and semi-arid regions, and its abundance also generally increases. However, the effects of climatic aridity and grazing intensity on sexual reproduction of shrubs in grassland remain largely unclear. In order to understand the effects of grazing intensity and climatic drought stress, and their interaction on seed production of shrub species, we examined the seed number, seed weight and seed yield of Caragana stenophylla under three grazing intensities （fenced, mild grazing and severe grazing） across a climatic aridity gradient （semi-arid, arid, very arid and intensively arid zones） in the Inner Mongolia Steppe, northern China during 2012-2013. The seed number, seed weight and seed yield gradually increased from the semi-arid to the very arid zones, but decreased from the very arid to the intensively arid zones in fenced plots. The seed number and seed yield decreased from the semi-arid to the intensively arid zones in mild and severe grazing treatment plots, therefore, grazing enhanced the suppression effect of climatic aridity on seed production of C. stenophylla. The seed number and seed yield gradually decreased as grazing intensity increased. The seed weight was highest in severe grazing plots, followed by the mild grazing plots and then the fenced plots. Precipitation varied interannually during the study period. We observed that the seed number seed weight and seed yield were lower in the low precipitation year （2013） than in the high precipitation year （2012）. As climatic drought stress increased, the negative effects of grazing on seed production of C. stenophylla also gradually increased. Our results indicated that climatic drought stress may contribute to the encroachment of C. stenophylla shrub in arid zones by promoting its seed production. However, grazing had negative effects on sexual reproduction of C. stenophylla, and the combined effects of drought stress and grazing seriously suppressed sexual reproduction of C. stenophylla in the intensively arid zone.

QTL mapping of drought tolerance traits in soybean with SLAF sequencing

Drought stress is an important factor affecting soybean yield.Improving drought tolerance of soybean varieties can increase yield and yield stability when the stress occurs.Identifying QTL related to drought tolerance using molecular marker-assisted selection is able to facilitate the development of drought-tolerant soybean varieties.In this study,we used a high-yielding and drought-sensitive cultivar‘Zhonghuang 35’and a drought-tolerant cultivar‘Jindou 21’to establish F6:9 recombinant inbred lines.We constructed a highdensity genetic map using specific locus amplified fragment sequencing(SLAF-Seq)technology.The genetic map contained 8078 SLAF markers distributing across 20 soybean chromosomes with a total genetic distance of 3780.98 c M and an average genetic distance of0.59 c M between adjacent markers.Two treatments(irrigation and drought)were used in the field tests,the Additive-Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping(ICIM-ADD)was used to call QTL,and plant height and seed weight per plant were used as the indicators of drought tolerance.We identified a total of 23 QTL related to drought tolerance.Among them,seven QTL(q PH2,q PH6,q PH7,q PH17,q PH19-1,q PH19-2,and q PH19-3)on chromosomes 2,6,7,17,and 19 were related to plant height,and five QTL(q SWPP2,q SWPP6,q SWPP13,q SWPP17,and q SWPP19)on chromosomes 2,6,13,17,and 19 were related to seed weight and could be considered as the major QTL.In addition,three common QTL(q PH6/q SWPP6,q PH17/q SWPP17,and q PH19-3/q SWPP19)for both plant height and seed weight per plant were located in the same genomic regions on the same chromosomes.Three(q PH2,q PH17,and q PH19-2)and four novel QTL(q SWPP2,q SWPP13,q SWPP17,and q SWPP19)were identified for plant height and seed weight per plant,respectively.Two pairs of QTL(q PH2/q SWPP2 and q PH17/q SWPP17)were also common for both plant height and seed weight per plant.These QTL and closely linked SLAF markers could be used to accelerate breeding for drought tolerant cultivars via MAS.

Variability in cone and seed characteristics and seed testing in various provenances of Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana)

Abstract： We investigated the effect of provenance variation on cone and seed morphology and germination behaviunr under different pretreatments in Picea smithiana. Three categories of cones were recognized： large （13.18 cm×3.30 cm-15.42 cm × 4.35 cm）, medium （10.85 cm × 3.93 cm-12.18 cm× 3.98 cm） and small （7.69 cm× 3.06-10.98 cm× 3.39 cm）. Significant variation was observed for various cone and seed characteristics. Seeds moisture content varied from 44.48% to 56.91%, seed size from 0.64 cmx 0.31 cm （largest seed） to 0.49 cm× 0.10 cm （smallest seed）, and the seed weight from 2.45 g per 100 seeds to 1.36 g per 100 seeds on fresh weight basis of P. smithiana. The highest seed germination （72.0±7.53%） at 10℃ was observed under chilling treatment in Tapovan provenance, while the minimum （15.0±5.71%） seed germination was recorded at 25℃ under control set in Tapovan provenance. Further among all the sources Pandukeshwar consistently had the highest average （38%） percent germination across all treatments. Compared to other temperature regimes and pretreatments, seeds subjected to 10℃ and chilling treatment had the highest germination and took the least time for germination irrespective of provenance effects. Altitude （provenance） had little or no relationship with germination following laboratory treatments. Seeds from Tapovan provenance subjected at 10℃ following chilling treatment may be suggested for further multiplication of this species.

Extra-Large Seed Germplasms of Brassica Napus Created through Microspore Culture

Thousand Seed Weight （TSW） is one of the major yield components of rapeseed （Brassica napus L.）. Here reports an extra-large seed germplasm GM01 which was obtained through isolated microspore culture. Three-way cross was made： H8--a Yunnan spring early-maturing rapeseed variety, ＂Legeney＂--a Canadian canola variety and ＂020010＂--a semi-winter late-maturing rapeseed variety. One hundred and forty eight doubled hyploid lines were obtained from the F~ plants of three-way cross through isolated mierospore culture. Among them, the TSW of GM01 amounted to 8.68 g and the TSW of 53 lines were above 5.0 g. The TSWs of GM01 were relatively stable among the multi-location field trials from 2007 to 2014 with variation being only 10%-15% among the locations and years. Compared with H8, GM01 had larger flowers, stigmas, siliques and seed diameters, but less branches, siliques per plant and seeds per silique.

Differential SW16.1 allelic effects and genetic backgrounds contributed to increased seed weight after soybean domestication

Although seed weight has increased following domestication from wild soybean(Glycine soja) to cultivated soybean(Glycine max), the genetic basis underlying this change is unclear. Using mapping populations derived from chromosome segment substitution lines of wild soybean, we identified SW16.1 as the causative gene underlying a major quantitative trait locus controlling seed weight.SW16.1 encodes a nucleus-localized LIM domaincontaining protein. Importantly, the GsSW16.1 allele from wild soybean accession N24852 had a negative effect on seed weight, whereas the GmSW16.1 allele from cultivar NN1138-2 had a positive effect. Gene expression network analysis,reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and promoter-luciferase reporter transient expression assays suggested that SW16.1 regulates the transcription of MT4, a positive regulator of seed weight. The natural variations in SW16.1 and other known seed weight genes were analyzed in soybean germplasm. The SW16.1 polymorphism was associated with seed weight in 247 soybean accessions, showing much higher frequency of positive-effect alleles in cultivated soybean than in wild soybean. Interestingly,gene allele matrix analysis of the known seed weight genes revealed that G. max has lost 38.5%of the G. soja alleles and that most of the lost alleles had negative effects on seed weight. Our results suggest that eliminating negative alleles from G. soja led to a higher frequency of positive alleles and changed genetic backgrounds in G. max,which contributed to larger seeds in cultivated soybean after domestication from wild soybean.Our findings provide new insights regarding soybean domestication and should assist current soybean breeding programs.

A loss-of-function mutant allele of a glycosyl hydrolase gene has been co-opted for seed weight control during soybean domestication

The resultant DNA from loss-of-function mutation can be recruited in biological evolution and development.Here,we present such a rare and potential case of“to gain by loss”as a neomorphic mutation during soybean domestication for increasing seed weight.Using a population derived from a chromosome segment substitution line of Glycine max(SN14)and Glycine soja(ZYD06),a quantitative trait locus(QTL)of 100-seed weight(q HSW)was mapped on chromosome 11,corresponding to a truncatedβ-1,3-glucosidase(βGlu)gene.The novel gene hsw results from a 14-bp deletion,causing a frameshift mutation and a premature stop codon in theβGlu.In contrast to HSW,the hsw completely lostβGlu activity and function but acquired a novel function to promote cell expansion,thus increasing seed weight.Overexpressing hsw instead of HSW produced large soybean seeds,and surprisingly,truncating hsw via gene editing further increased the seed size.We further found that the core 21-aa peptide of hsw and its variants acted as a promoter of seed size.Transcriptomic variation in these transgenic soybean lines substantiated the integration hsw into cell and seed size control.Moreover,the hsw allele underwent selection and expansion during soybean domestication and improvement.Our work cloned a likely domesticated QTL controlling soybean seed weight,revealed a novel genetic variation and mechanism in soybean domestication,and provided new insight into crop domestication and breeding,and plant evolution.

Culling phenotypically inferior trees in seed production area enhances seed and seedling quality of Acacia auriculiformis

Improvement in seed and seedling quality of Acacia auriculiformis after culling phenotypically inferior trees was studied in a 6-year old seed production area （SPA）. A 5-ha plantation was identified, of which 2.3 ha was converted into SPA. The initial stocking, 1 612 trees·ha^-1, was thinned down to 982 trees·ha^-1 based on growth characteristics. The following fruiting season, seeds were collected from 10 randomly selected trees in culled and non-culled stands, and seed physical characters, germination and seedling traits were assessed. Seed weight, seed thickness and percentage germination increased by 32.1%, 4.43% and 22.37%, respectively in the culled stand compared to the non-culled stand. Culling also increased the speed of germination, seedling dry weight and seedling vigor index. Heritability values were high for seed weight （0.974） and seed thickness （0.948） while medium values were observed for percentage germination （0.577） and total dry weight （0.534）. Predicted genetic gain was 11.13% and 11.22% for seed weight and percentage germination, respectively. The actual gain was 32.1, 51.9 and 22.9% for seed weight, percentage germination and total dry matter, respectively. In conclusion, SPAs established by culling inferior trees could serve as sources of good quality seeds for reforestation programs until genetically improved seeds are made available.

Morphological Features of Plants and Yield of Sunflower Hybrids Cultivated in the Northern Part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

In Ukraine, a sunflower is the main oil crop from which more than 90% of vegetable fats are produced. An increase in production is due to the expansion of cultivation area, which necessitates research on sunflower hybrids adaptability in the northern regions of Ukraine, where in recent decades, there has been a significant change of weather conditions and which may be favorable for its cultivation. The research was carried out in the Northern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on light loam chernozems. Reaction to growing conditions of four hybrids was studied by establishing the stability and plasticity of hybrids in terms of yield formation due to changes in morphological characteristics of plants. Yield potential realization is high enough, which is provided by sufficient amounts of positive, active, effective temperatures and precipitation. Calculation of the coefficients of plasticity and stability allows identifying stable sunflower hybrids, hybrids with a high level of plasticity, and recommending them to production. The yield of early-maturing hybrid Ukrainskyi F1 increases rectilinearly with plant density increasing (r = 0.977 - 0.998), while hybrids P63LL06 (r = 0.651 - 0.882);NK Ferti (r = 0.589 - 0.846), and NK Brio (r = 0.689 - 0.804) form a higher yield at standing densities up to 60 thousand plants per hectare, and with further thickening, the yield decreases. With the thickening of sowings, the height of all hybrids plants increases (r = 0.97 - 0.99), and there is a decrease in the number of seeds per anthode, and the weight of 1000 seeds. Sunflower hybrids can be divided into the groups according to the peculiarities of yield formation due to morphological features: 1) yield increases only due to sowings’ thickening— Ukrainskyi F1;2) combined efficiency-increasing sowings’ density to 60 thousand plants/ha and generative organs formation—NCKBrio;3) hybrids of intermediate type—NK Ferti and P63LL06.

Simple Traits among Diaspore Weight/Number,Plant Height and Ability of Vegetative Propagation

Several expected correlations among followed internal plant traits were confirmed using the dataset of 492 herbaceous species from the temporal zone of Central Europe. Average diaspore weight （seed mass）, reproductive capacity of population （number of produced diaspores）, species height, and ability of lateral spread were the plant traits considered. The evident correlations were confirmed among all investigated traits： （i） The reproductive capacity of population negatively correlated with diaspore weight, plant height, and vegetative propagation. The diaspore weight and their number are closely correlated and co-adapted. （ii） Bigger plant species produce bigger diaspores. These trends are obvious at the inter- and intra-family levels. （iii） Larger plant species showed higher ability to vegetative propagation.

GmJAZ3 interacts with GmRR18a and GmMYC2a to regulate seed traits in soybean

Seed weight is usually associated with seed size and is one of the important agronomic traits that determine yield.Understanding of seed weight control is limited,especially in soybean plants.Here we show that Glycine max JASMONATEZIM DOMAIN 3(GmJAZ3),a gene identified through gene co-expression network analysis,regulates seed-related traits in soybean.Overexpression of GmJAZ3 promotes seed size/weight and other organ sizes in stable transgenic soybean plants likely by increasing cell proliferation.GmJAZ3 interacted with both G.max RESPONSE REGULATOR 18a(GmRR18a)and GmMYC2a to inhibit their transcriptional activation of cytokinin oxidase gene G.max CYTOKININ OXIDASE 3-4(GmCKX3-4),which usually affects seed traits.Meanwhile,the GmRR18a binds to the promoter of GmMYC2a and activates GmMYC2a gene expression.In GmJAZ3-overexpressing soybean seeds,the protein contents were increased while the fatty acid contents were reduced compared to those in the control seeds,indicating that the GmJAZ3 affects seed size/weight and compositions.Natural variation in JAZ3 promoter region was further analyzed and Hap3 promoter correlates with higher promoter activity,higher gene expression and higher seed weight.The Hap3 promoter may be selected and fixed during soybean domestication.JAZ3 orthologs from other plants/crops may also control seed size and weight.Taken together,our study reveals a novel molecular module GmJAZ3-GmRR18a/GmMYC2a-GmCKXs for seed size and weight control,providing promising targets during soybean molecular breeding for better seed traits.

Regulation of seed traits in soybean

Soybean (Glycine max) is an essential economic crop that provides vegetative oil and protein forhumans, worldwide. Increasing soybean yield as well as improving seed quality is of great importance.Seed weight/size, oil and protein content are the three major traits determining seed quality, and seedweight also influences soybean yield. In recent years, the availability of soybean omics data and thedevelopment of related techniques have paved the way for better research on soybean functionalgenomics, providing a comprehensive understanding of gene functions. This review summarizes theregulatory genes that influence seed size/weight, oil content and protein content in soybean. We alsoprovided a general overview of the pleiotropic effect for the genes in controlling seed traits andenvironmental stresses. Ultimately, it is expected that this review will be beneficial in breedingimproved traits in soybean.