enhanced-photosynthesis-water-use-efficiency-transgenic-sugarcane

Enhanced Photosynthesis and Water-Use Efficiency in Transgenic Sugarcane Expressing Arabidopsis <em>DREB1A</em> Under Drought Stress

Drought stress imposes a critical limitation on sugarcane productivity, thereby necessitating the development of stress-resilient cultivars for ...

Superior University

Soybean (Glycine max ) is an important oilseed, protein and biodiesel crop. It faces significant threats from bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, which cause economic losses and jeopardises global food security. In this article, we explore the relationship between soybeans and these pathogens, focusing on the molecular responses that are crucial for soybeans defence mechanisms. Molecular responses involve small RNAs and specific genes, including resistance (R) genes that are pivotal in triggering immune responses. Functional genomics, which makes use of cutting-edge technologies, such as CRISPR Cas9 gene editing, allows us to identify genes that provide insights into the defence mechanisms of soybeans with the focus on using genomics to understand the mechanisms involved in host pathogen interactions and ultimately improve the resilience of soybeans. Genes like GmKR3 and GmVQ58 have demonstrated resistance against soybean mosaic virus and common cutworm, respectively. Genetic studies have identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including those linked with soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode and Phytophthora root and stem rot resistance. Additionally, resistance against Asian soybean rust and soybean cyst nematode involves specific genes and their variations in terms of different copy numbers. To address the challenges posed by evolving pathogens and meet the demands of a growing population, accelerated soybean breeding efforts leveraging functional genomics are imperative. Targeted breeding strategies based on a deeper understanding of soybean gene function and regulation will enhance disease resistance, ensuring sustainable agriculture and global food security. Collaborative research and continued technological advancements are crucial for securing a resilient and productive agricultural future.

Genomic blueprints of soybean () pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture.

Soybean Glycine max L., paleopolyploid genome, poses challenges to its genetic improvement. However, the development of reference genome assemblies and genome sequencing has completely changed the field of soybean genomics, allowing for more accurate and successful breeding techniques as well as research. During the single-cell revolution, one of the most advanced sequencing tools for examining the transcriptome landscape is single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Comprehensive resources for genetic improvement of soybeans may be found in the SoyBase and other genomics databases. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology provides promising prospects for precise genetic modifications in soybean. This method has enhanced several soybean traits, including as yield, nutritional value, and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. With base editing techniques that allow for precise DNA modifications, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 is further increased. With the availability of the reference genome for soybeans and the following assembly of wild and cultivated soybeans, significant chromosomal rearrangements and gene duplication events have been identified, offering new perspectives on the complex genomic structure of soybeans. Furthermore, major single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to stachyose and sucrose content have been found through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), providing important tools for enhancing soybean carbohydrate profiles. In order to open up new avenues for soybean genetic improvement, future research approaches include investigating transcriptional divergence processes, enhancing genetic resources, and incorporating CRISPR-Cas9 technologies.

Revolutionizing soybean genomics: How CRISPR and advanced sequencing are unlocking new potential.

Drought is one of the major environmental issues that reduce crop yield. Seed germination is a crucial stage of plant development in all crop plants, including soybean. In soybean breeding, information about genetic mechanism of drought tolerance has great importance. However, at germination stage, there is relatively little knowledge on the genetic basis of soybean drought resistance. The objective of this work was to find the quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) linked to drought tolerance related three traits using a genome-wide association study (GWAS), viz., germination rate (GR), root length (RL), and whole seedling length (WSL), using germplasm population of 240 soybean PIs with 34,817 SNPs genotype data having MAF > 0.05. It was observed that heritability (H) for GR, WSL, and RL across both environments (2020, and 2019) were high in the range of 0.76-0.99, showing that genetic factors play a vital role in drought tolerance as compared to environmental factors. A number of 23 and 27 QTNs were found to be linked to three traits using MLM and mrMLM, respectively. Three significant QTNs, qGR8-1, qWSL13-1, and qRL-8, were identified using both MLM and mrMLM methods among these QTNs. QTN8, located on chromosome 8 was consistently linked to two traits (GR and RL). The area (± 100 Kb) associated with this QTN was screened for drought tolerance based on gene annotation. Fifteen candidate genes were found by this screening. Based on the expression data, four candidate genes i.e. Glyma08g156800, Glyma08g160000, Glyma08g162700, and Glyma13g249600 were found to be linked to drought tolerance regulation in soybean. Hence, the current study provides evidence to understand the genetic constitution of drought tolerance during the germination stage and identified QTNs or genes could be utilized in molecular breeding to enhance the yield under drought stress.

Genome-wide association study provides new insight into the underlying mechanism of drought tolerance during seed germination stage in soybean.

Magnesium (Mg) is essential for plant growth and development and plays critical roles in physiological and biochemical processes. Mg deficiency adversely affects growth of plants by limiting shoot and root development, disturbing the structure and membranes of the grana, reducing photosynthesis efficiency, and lowering net CO assimilation. The MGT (Magnesium transporter) family is responsible for the absorption and transportation of magnesium in plants. Although the MGT family has been identified in different plant species, research regarding the soybean MGT genes is limited.

Genome-wide identification of MGT gene family in soybean (Glycine max) and their expression analyses under magnesium stress conditions.

Calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-like (CML) gene families are important in combating stress conditions in plants. A total of 36 CaMs/CMLs were identified and found to be randomly dispersed over the 11 chromosomes of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon). Domain analysis verified the presence of characteristic four EF-hand domains in ClCaM proteins and 2-4 EF-hand domains in ClCML proteins. Most of the ClCML genes were intron-less, but all the ClCaM had introns. In the promoter region, 11% of the cis -regulatory elements were identified belonging to abiotic stress. Collinearity analysis suggested that the ClCaM/ClCML gene family expanded due to segmental duplications. Synteny analysis of 36 ClCaM/CML exhibited 31 pairs of collinearity with Arabidopsis thaliana . Twelve miRNAs were predicted to target one ClCaM and eleven ClCML genes. Analysis by real time quantitative PCR indicated all genes expressed under abiotic treatments. Among the analysed genes, ClCML1 is the most highly expressed gene, especially under cold stress, suggesting its strong involvement in stress response mechanisms. ClCML5 and ClCML27 showed consistent upregulation under salt and drought stresses, highlighting their potential roles in the salt and drought tolerance mechanism. These findings will facilitate the subsequent experiments in exploring the calcium signalling channel under stress situations and pave the way for further exploration of molecular mechanisms involved in defenses against cold, drought, and salt stress.

Article	Year
Genomic blueprints of soybean () pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture. Functional plant biology : FPB\| PubMed ID: 38669462	2024
Revolutionizing soybean genomics: How CRISPR and advanced sequencing are unlocking new potential. Functional & integrative genomics\| PubMed ID: 39223394	2024
Genome-wide association study provides new insight into the underlying mechanism of drought tolerance during seed germination stage in soybean. Scientific reports\| PubMed ID: 39237583	2024
Genome-wide identification of MGT gene family in soybean (Glycine max) and their expression analyses under magnesium stress conditions. BMC plant biology\| PubMed ID: 39838318	2025
Decoding the expression patterns and characterisation of calmodulin and calmodulin-like gene families in watermelon () under abiotic stresses. Functional plant biology : FPB\| PubMed ID: 40403145	2025

Muhammad Khuram Razzaq

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