Wild soybean(Glycine soja)transcription factor GsWRKY40 plays positive roles in plant salt tolerance

Wild soybean(Glycine soja),a relative of cultivated soybean,shows high adaptability to adverse environmental conditions.We identified and characterized a wild soybean transcription factor gene,GsWRKY40,that promotes plant salt stress.GsWRKY40 was highly expressed in wild soybean roots and was up-regulated by salt treatment.GsWRKY40 was localized in nucleus and demonstrated DNA-binding activities but without transcriptional activation.Mutation and overexpression of GsWRKY40 altered salt tolerance of Arabidopsis plants.To understand the molecular mechanism of GsWRKY40 in regulating plant salt resistance,we screened a cDNA library and identified a GsWRKY40 interacting protein GsbHLH92 by using yeast two-hybrid approach.The physical interaction of GsWRKY40 and GsbHLH92 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation(co-IP),GST pull-down,and bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC)techniques.Intriguingly,co-overexpression of GsWRKY40 and GsbHLH92 resulted in higher salt tolerance and lower ROS levels than overexpression of GsWRKY40 or GsbHLH92 in composite soybean plants,suggesting that GsWRKY40 and GsbHLH92 may synergistically regulate plant salt resistance through inhibiting ROS production.qRT-PCR data indicated that the expression level of GmSPOD1 gene encoding peroxidase was cooperatively regulated by GsWRKY40 and GsbHLH92,which was confirmed by using a dual luciferase report system and yeast one-hybrid experiment.Our study reveals a pathway that GsWRKY40 and GsbHLH92 collaboratively up-regulate plant salt resistance through impeding GmSPOD1 expression and reducing ROS levels,providing a novel perspective on the regulatory mechanisms underlying plant tolerance to abiotic stresses.

A telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Zhonghuang 13,a widely-grown soybean variety from the original center of Glycine max

Soybean(Glycine max)stands as a globally significant agricultural crop,and the comprehensive assembly of its genome is of paramount importance for unraveling its biological characteristics and evolutionary history.Nevertheless,previous soybean genome assemblies have harbored gaps and incompleteness,which have constrained in-depth investigations into soybean.Here,we present Telomere-to-Telomere(T2T)assembly of the Chinese soybean cultivar Zhonghuang 13(ZH13)genome,termed ZH13-T2T,utilizing PacBio Hifi and ONT ultralong reads.We employed a multi-assembler approach,integrating Hifiasm,NextDenovo,and Canu,to minimize biases and enhance assembly accuracy.The assembly spans 1,015,024,879 bp,effectively resolving all 393 gaps that previously plagued the reference genome.Our annotation efforts identified 50,564 high-confidence protein-coding genes,707 of which are novel.ZH13-T2T revealed longer chromosomes,421 not-aligned regions(NARs),112 structure variations(SVs),and a substantial expansion of repetitive element compared to earlier assemblies.Specifically,we identified 25.67 Mb of tandem repeats,an enrichment of 5S and 48S rDNAs,and characterized their genotypic diversity.In summary,we deliver the first complete Chinese soybean cultivar T2T genome.The comprehensive annotation,along with precise centromere and telomere characterization,as well as insights into structural variations,further enhance our understanding of soybean genetics and evolution.

Soybean(Glycine max)rhizosphere organic phosphorus recycling relies on acid phosphatase activity and specific phosphorusmineralizing-related bacteria in phosphate deficient acidic soils

Bacteria play critical roles in regulating soil phosphorus(P) cycling. The effects of interactions between crops and soil P-availability on bacterial communities and the feedback regulation of soil P cycling by the bacterial community modifications are poorly understood. Here, six soybean(Glycine max) genotypes with differences in P efficiency were cultivated in acidic soils with long-term sufficient or deficient P-fertilizer treatments. The acid phosphatase(AcP) activities, organic-P concentrations and associated bacterial community compositions were determined in bulk and rhizosphere soils. The results showed that both soybean plant P content and the soil AcP activity were negatively correlated with soil organic-P concentration in P-deficient acidic soils. Soil P-availability affected the ɑ-diversity of bacteria in both bulk and rhizosphere soils. However, soybean had a stronger effect on the bacterial community composition, as reflected by the similar biomarker bacteria in the rhizosphere soils in both P-treatments. The relative abundance of biomarker bacteria Proteobacteria was strongly correlated with soil organic-P concentration and AcP activity in low-P treatments. Further high-throughput sequencing of the phoC gene revealed an obvious shift in Proteobacteria groups between bulk soils and rhizosphere soils, which was emphasized by the higher relative abundances of Cupriavidus and Klebsiella, and lower relative abundance of Xanthomonas in rhizosphere soils. Among them, Cupriavidus was the dominant phoC bacterial genus, and it was negatively correlated with the soil organic-P concentration. These findings suggest that soybean growth relies on organic-P mineralization in P-deficient acidic soils, which might be partially achieved by recruiting specific phoCharboring bacteria, such as Cupriavidus.

Identification and fine mapping of qSW2 for leaf slow wilting in soybean

Drought is one of the abiotic stresses limiting the production of soybean(Glycine max).Elucidation of the genetic and molecular basis of the slow-wilting(SW)trait of this crop offers the prospect of its genetic improvement.A panel of 188 accessions and a set of recombinant inbred lines produced from a cross between cultivars Liaodou 14 and Liaodou 21 were used to identify quantitative-trait loci(QTL)associated with SW.Plants were genotyped by Specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing and seedling leaf wilting was assessed under three water-stress treatments.A genome-wide association study identified 26 SW-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),including three located in a 248-kb linkage-disequilibrium(LD)block on chromosome 2.Linkage mapping revealed a major-effect QTL,qSW2,associated with all three treatments and adjacent to the LD block.Fine mapping in a BC_(2)F_(3) population derived from a backcross between Liaodou 21 and R26 confined qSW2 to a 60-kb interval.Gene expression and sequence variation analysis identified the gene Glyma.02 g218100,encoding an auxin transcription factor,as a candidate gene for qSW2.Our results will contribute significantly to improving drought-resistant soybean cultivars by providing genetic information and resources.

Genetic variation in GmCRP contributes to nodulation in soybean(Glycine max Merr.)

Symbiosis between soybean and rhizobia contributes to soybean yield and quality. Although secreted rhizobial type Ⅲ effectors are known to regulate infection and promote nitrogen fixation, much about them remains unknown. Mutation of NopC, a type Ⅲ effector from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103, reduced nodule numbers and dry weights in 310 soybean accessions, and expression of NopC in soybean hairy roots promoted symbiosis. Based on observed differences in nodule traits between Suinong 14 and Zyd 00,006inoculated with HH103 and the NopC mutant, 11 QTL associated with rhizobia were identified in chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs) derived from Suinong 14 and Zyd 00006. Using chromosome fragment insertion, whole-genome sequencing of Suinong 14 and Zyd 00006, and qRT-PCR,Glyma.19G176300(GmCRP) was identified as a candidate gene associated with NopC, and GmCRP was found to be induced by NopC to positively regulate nodulation. SNPs located in the regulatory regions of GmCRP influenced its expression response to NopC, with SNPs contributing to nodulation having been selected during domestication. Our findings reveal the function of a soybean gene encoding a rhizobial type Ⅲ effector that contributes to symbiosis, and will facilitate the practical application of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in molecular breeding.

Model fitting of the seasonal population dynamics of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, in the field

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura(Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the greatest threats to soybean production, and both trend analysis and periodic analysis of its population dynamics are important for integrated pest management(IPM). Based on systematically investigating soybean aphid populations in the field from 2018 to 2020, this study adopted the inverse logistic model for the first time, and combined it with the classical logistic model to describe the changes in seasonal population abundance from colonization to extinction in the field. Then, the increasing and decreasing phases of the population fluctuation were divided by calculating the inflection points of the models, which exhibited distinct seasonal trends of the soybean aphid populations in each year. In addition, multifactor logistic models were then established for the first time, in which the abundance of soybean aphids in the field changed with time and relevant environmental conditions. This model enabled the prediction of instantaneous aphid abundance at a given time based on relevant meteorological data. Taken as a whole, the successful approaches implemented in this study could be used to build a theoretical framework for practical IPM strategies for controlling soybean aphids.

Genome-wide association with transcriptomics reveals a shade-tolerance gene network in soybean

Shade tolerance is essential for soybeans in inter/relay cropping systems.A genome-wide association study(GWAS)integrated with transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify genes and construct a genetic network governing the trait in a set of recombinant inbred lines derived from two soybean parents with contrasting shade tolerance.An improved GWAS procedure,restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association study based on gene/allele sequence markers(GASM-RTM-GWAS),identified 140 genes and their alleles associated with shade-tolerance index(STI),146 with relative pith cell length(RCL),and nine with both.Annotation of these genes by biological categories allowed the construction of a protein–protein interaction network by 187 genes,of which half were differentially expressed under shading and non-shading conditions as well as at different growth stages.From the identified genes,three ones jointly identified for both traits by both GWAS and transcriptome and two genes with maximum links were chosen as beginners for entrance into the network.Altogether,both STI and RCL gene systems worked for shade-tolerance with genes interacted each other,this confirmed that shadetolerance is regulated by more than single group of interacted genes,involving multiple biological functions as a gene network.

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.

Evaluation of Soybean Genotypes (Glycine max L. Merr.) Susceptibility to Parasitic Nematodes in Western Part of Burkina Faso

Parasitic nematodes have been reported as one of the major constraints to soybean production worldwide. The majority of nematodes are so-called “free-living” and feed mainly on bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other nematodes. In Burkina Faso, the presence of parasitic nematodes has been reported in crops such as rice and sorghum. The objective of this study was to identify the genera and species of nematodes associated with soybean production in Burkina Faso. Investigations were carried out on 24 genotypes of a medium-maturity group of soybean at the Farako-Ba research station. Soil samples were taken from the trial soil before its installation. At harvest, soil samples with roots were taken from each genotype in the elementary plots. The composite sample is represented by 4 lots of soil samples with roots. Extractions and counts of nematodes were performed on the different lots. In total, 7 genera of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with soybean were identified. Among these genera, Pratylenchus (100% of infected genotypes), Helicotylenchus (97.28%) and Scutellonema (94.44%) were the most prevalent in terms of frequency and abundance. Some soybean genotypes were less susceptible to the genus Pratylenchus is known to be highly pathogenic in soybean. These were mainly the genotypes TGX2025-10E, TGX2023-3E and TGX2025-14E.

Cd and Hg Mediated Oxidative Stress,Antioxidative Metabolism and Molecular Changes in Soybean(Glycine max L.)

Cadmium(Cd)and Mercury(Hg)is among the heavy metals most hazardous for plant and human health.Known to induce oxidative stress in plants and disbalance equilibrium in the antioxidant defence system,these metals alter plant growth and cause damage at the cellular and molecular levels.Soybean is an important oilseed crop that is raised in soils often contaminated by Cd and Hg.The comparative studies on the deleterious effect of Cd and Hg and the defence system of antioxidants were not studied earlier in soybean plant.In this study,soybean plants were exposed to Cd(100μM CdCl_(2))and Hg(100μM HgCl_(2))and studied for physiological,biochemical and molecular responses.Both Cd and Hg treatment increased the magnitude of oxidative stress.Activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly upregulated in response to Cd and Hg stress.Quantitative and qualitative assessment of isolated RNA showed significant differences in RNA under stress.Integrity values of RNA confirmed alterations.Transcript level of the Actin gene,involved in the morphogenesis of plants and also used as referenced gene in expression studies was analyzed using qRT-PCR just to check its stability and response under heavy metal stress.Results showed significant upregulation of the gene in the presence of Cd.It can be concluded that both Cd and Hg caused oxidative damage to plants,and adversely affected the quality of RNA.However,soybean tried to limit the adverse impacts of Cd and Hg stress by elevating the antioxidant system and upregulating Actin gene.

Estimation of Genetic Divergence and Character Association Studies in Local and Exotic Diversity Panels of Soybean(Glycine max L.)Genotypes

The availability of favorable genetic diversity is a thriving vitality for the success of a breeding program.It provides a firm basis of selecting superior breeding lines for the development of high yielding crop genotypes.In this context,present investigation aimed to generate information on genetic divergence and character association in a diversity panel of 123 local and exotic soybean genotypes.Analysis of variance revealed significant response of the evaluated genotypes based on studied attributes.It depicted the probability of selecting desirable soybean genotypes by focusing on character association studies and genetic diversity analysis.Correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant showed high positive correlation with 100-seed weight followed by pods per plant and plant height.Furthermore,path coefficient analysis exposed that pods per plant had maximum direct contribution in seed yield per plant followed by 100-seed weight,days to flowering and SPAD measurement.Genotype named“G-10”showed maximum yield per plant followed by 24607,G-52,24593,Arisoy,24566,17426,A-3127,24570 and 24567.Genetic diversity analysis grouped the evaluated germplasm into 17 clusters.All clusters showed zero intra-cluster variability;while inter-cluster divergence ranged from 9.00 to 91.11.Cluster V showed maximum inter-cluster distance with cluster XII followed by that of between V and VIII.Moreover,cluster IV with superior genotypes(G-10,24607,24593 and 24566),VI(17426 and 24567),XIII(24570)and X(Arisoy and G-52)showed above mean values for most of the studied characters.Overall,the results of hybridization between the superior genotypes of these cluster pairs might be useful for soybean breeding with improving agronomic traits and adaptability.

Comparative Study on Biological and Commercial Characteristics of Multiple Varieties of Broccoli(Brassica oleracea L.var.italica Plenck)and Vegetable Soybean(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to select vegetable soybean varieties(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)that are suitable for local cultivation and meet export requirements.[Methods]Through continuous years of comparative experiments on broccoli and vegetable soybean varieties,detailed biological characteristic and economic quality data of multiple varieties were obtained.[Results]Vegetable soybean variety Taiwan 75-3 had very prominent early-maturing trait,the highest quality(qualification rate),and higher yield than the control check(CK);and the early-maturing trait of vegetable soybean variety Kaohsiung 9 was also prominent,and its yield was higher than that of the CK.They could be promoted as the main vegetable soybean varieties for spring open field cultivation in this region.Among the tested broccoli varieties,Lake had a higher yield,and was relatively tolerant to cold.It had an early harvest period,and was planted as an early autumn variety in this region.Naihan Youxiu showed the highest yield,good quality,cold resistance,and strong adaptability,making it suitable for planting as a late autumn variety in this region.[Conclusions]This study provides technical guidance for the cultivation of local broccoli and vegetable soybean.

Bioinformatics and Functional Analysis of High Oleic Acid-Related Gene GmSAM22 in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

High yield,high quality,stable yield,adaptability to growth period,and modern mechanization are the basic requirements for crops in the 21st century.Soybean oleic acid is a natural unsaturated fatty acid with strong antioxidant properties and stability.Known as a safe fatty acid,it has the ability to successfully prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders.Improving the fatty acid composition of soybean seeds,can not only speed up the breeding process of high-quality high-oil and high-oleic soybeans,but also have important significance in human health,and provide the possibility for the development of soybean oil as a new energy source.Hence,the aim of this study was to analyze the high oleic acid elated gene GmSAM22 in soybean.In this research the soybean oleic acid-related gene GmSAM22 was screened out by Genome-wide association analysis,a 662 bp fragment was acquired by specific PCR amplification,and the pMD18T cloning vector was linked by the use of a seamless cloning technique.Bioinformatics analysis of the signal peptide prediction,subcellular localization,protein hydrophobicity,transmembrane region analysis,a phosphorylation site,protein secondary and tertiary structure and protein interaction analysis of the protein encoded by the SAM22 gene was carried out.The plasmid of the gene editing vector is pBK041.The overexpression vector was transformed from pCAMBIA3301 as the base vector,and overexpression vector were designed.Positive plants were obtained by genetic transformation by the pollen tube channel method.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed on the T2 generation plants to detect the relative expression levels in different tissues.Southern Blot was used to detect the presence of hybridization signal.Screening genes BAR,35S,and NOS in plants were identified by conventional PCR.10 seeds with high and low oleic acid content were chosen for quantitative PCR identification,and finally,the concentration and morphology of soybean fatty acids were identified by nearfar infrared spectroscopy.On 10 seeds with an upper and lower oleic acid content,a quantitative fluorescence analysis was done.In Southern blot hybridization,the SAM22 gene was integrated into the recipient soybean plant in hands of a sole copy.Fluorescence quantitative PCR appeared that the average relative expression of the SAM22 gene in roots,stems,leaves,and seeds was 1.70,1.67,3.83,and 4.41,respectively.Positive expression seeds had a 4.77%increase in oleic acid content.The level of oleic acid in the altered seeds was reduced by 4.13%when compared to CK,and it was discovered that the GmSAM22 gene could be a regulatory and secondary gene that promotes the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid in soybean.There has not been a discussion of gene cloning or functional verification.The cloning and genetic transformation of the soybean SAM22 gene can effectively increase the content of oleic acid,which lays a foundation for the study of soybean with high oleic acid.

Identification of lncRNAs Associated withβ-conglycininα-null Allele Based on a Genome-wide Transcriptome Analysis ofα-null-type Hypoallergenic Soybean(Glycine max)Near-isogenic Lines

Soybean mutants withα-nullβ-conglycinin are associated with high nutritional value and low allergenic risk.Although long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)are increasingly recognized as functional regulatory components affecting eukaryotic gene expression,little is known about lnc RNA profiles inα-null-type hypoallergenic soybeans.In this study,a genome-wide integrative analysis of lncRNAs,m RNAs and epigenomic data in the soybean cgy-2(confirmedα-null)near-isogenic line(NIL)and its recurrent parent Dongnong47(DN47)was conducted.Nineteen novel lncRNAs that were differentially expressed(DE)only in the NIL at 18 days after flowering(i.e.,α-null-associated DE lncRNAs)were delected.Sixteen putative soybean stress-responsive lncRNAs were identified,and observed to regulate 257 stress-related genes DE in the NIL.This result indicated that theα-null allele might represent an intrinsic defect stress that altered the expression of various stress-related genes inα-null-type hypoallergenic soybean.Additionally,25 epigenetic-related lncRNAs regulated 831 DE epigenetic-related genes and simultaneously initiated multiple epigenetic activities,including ubiquitination,methylation and acetylation.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)analysis indicated that the biosynthesis of amino acids pathway was enriched with 83 DE genes regulated by nine DE lncRNAs.Changes in the expression of these lncRNAs and genes might be the reason for the altered amino acid composition in the NIL.Among all detected DE lncRNAs,MSTRG.12518 was the most conspicuousα-null-specific cis/trans-lnc RNA that played an efficient,versatile and vital role in the NIL.The data indicated that the lnc RNA profile differed between the NIL and DN47.Variations in lncRNAs,gene expression levels and DNA methylation states likely contributed to the intrinsic defect stress response mechanism inα-null-type hypoallergenic soybeans.

Assessing the Efficacy of Wheat-Soybean Based Intercropping System at Different Plant Densities in Bambili, Cameroon

Wheat is one of the most important cereals in the world, serving as a staple for millions globally. In the wake of the geopolitical crisis between Russia and Ukraine, it has become incumbent for many countries to invest in wheat production. Improving cropping systems for wheat production is paramount. Intercropping cereals with legumes has tremendous advantages. Therefore, this study was designed to optimize wheat production by intercropping it with soybean at different densities. Between March and August 2023, a randomized complete block design trial was conducted in Bambili, North West of Cameroon with treatments T1 (wheat monocrop at 200,000 plants ha−1), T2 (soybean monocrop at 250,000 plants ha−1), T3 (200,000 wheat and 125,000 soybean ha−1), T4 (100,000 wheat and 250,000 soybean ha−1), T5 (200,000 wheat and 250,000 soybean ha−1) and T6 (100,000 wheat and 125,000 soybean ha−1). Results revealed that growth parameters of wheat were not significantly influenced by monocrop or intercrop. The yield of wheat was significantly higher in the monocrop than the intercrop treatments, with slight variation amongst the intercrop treatments. Soybean yield was higher in the monocrop than in the intercrop, with no variations amongst the intercrop treatments. Only the land equivalence ratio (LER) for T5 was greater than 1.0. The competitive ratio for T5 was 0.54 for wheat and 1.90 for soybean, comparatively lower than the other monocrop treatments. Intercropping wheat and soybean at 200,000:250,000 ratio is recommended.

Identification of Rhizobia Isolated from Nodules of Mexican Commercial Soybean Varieties

Rhizobia, crucial for nitrogen fixation in leguminous plants, play a vital role in soybean cultivation. This study, conducted in Mexico, a major soybean importer, aimed to identify bacteria from nodules of five soybean varieties in high-production regions. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) was employed for enhanced species resolution. The study identified six Bradyrhizobium species: Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 6, Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA 76, Bradyrhizobium neotropicale, Bradyrhizobium lablabi, and Bradyrhizobium icense. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 predominated in the soils, displaying symbiotic preference for the Huasteca 400 variety. However, phylogenetic analysis didn't reveal a clear association between strains, soil, and soybean variety. This research sheds light on the diversity of rhizobia in Mexican soybean cultivation, contributing to the understanding of symbiotic relationships in soybean production systems.

J-family genes redundantly regulate flowering time and increase yield in soybean

Soybean(Glycine max)is a short-day crop whose flowering time is regulated by photoperiod.The longjuvenile trait extends its vegetative phase and increases yield under short-day conditions.Natural variation in J,the major locus controlling this trait,modulates flowering time.We report that the three J-family genes influence soybean flowering time,with the triple mutant Guangzhou Mammoth-2 flowering late under short days by inhibiting transcription of E1-family genes.J-family genes offer promising allelic combinations for breeding.

Soybean maize strip intercropping:A solution for maintaining food security in China

The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.

Drought-triggered repression of miR166 promotes drought tolerance in soybean

Drought stress limits agricultural productivity worldwide.Identifying and characterizing genetic components of drought stress-tolerance networks may improve crop resistance to drought stress.We show that the regulatory module formed by miR166 and its target gene,ATHB14-LIKE,functions in the regulation of drought tolerance in soybean(Glycine max).Drought stress represses the accumulation of miR166,leading to upregulation of its target genes.Optimal knockdown of miR166 in the stable transgenic line GmSTTM166 conferred drought tolerance without affecting yield.Expression of ABA signaling pathway genes was regulated by the miR166-mediated regulatory pathway,and ATHB14-LIKE directly activates some of these genes.There is a feedback regulation between ATHB14-LIKE and MIR166 genes,and ATHB14-LIKE inhibits MIR166 expression.These findings reveal that drought-triggered regulation of the miR166-mediated regulatory pathway increases plants drought resistance,providing new insights into drought stress regulatory network in soybean.

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.