Search

Introduction: Selenium (Se) deficiency, stemming from malnutrition in humans and animals, has the potential to disrupt many vital physiological processes, particularly those reliant on specific selenoproteins. Agronomic biofortification of crops through the application of Se-containing sprays provides an efficient method to enhance the Se content in the harvested biomass. An optimal candidate for systematic enrichment, guaranteeing a broad trophic impact, must meet several criteria: (i) efficient accumulation of Se without compromising crop yield, (ii) effective conversion of mineral Se fertilizer into usable organically bound Se forms (Seorg), (iii) acceptance of a Se-enriched crop as livestock feed, and (iv), interest from the food processing industry in utilization of Se-enriched outputs. Hence, priority should be given to high-protein leafy crops, such as soybean. Methods: A three-year study in the Czech Republic was conducted to investigate the response of field-grown soybean plants to foliar application of Na2SeO4 solutions (0, 15, 40, and 100 g/ha Se); measured outcomes included crop yield, Se distribution in aboveground biomass, and the chemical speciation of Se in seeds. Results and Discussion: Seed yield was unaffected by applied SeO4 2-, with Se content reaching levels as high as 16.2 mg/kg. The relationship between SeO4 2-dose and Se content in seeds followed a linear regression model. Notably, the soybeans demonstrated an impressive 73% average recovery of Se in seeds. Selenomethionine was identified as the predominant species of Se in enzymatic hydrolysates of soybean, constituting up to 95% of Seorg in seeds. Minor Se species, such as selenocystine, selenite, and selenate, were also detected. The timing of Se spraying influenced both plant SeO4 2- biotransformation and total content in seeds, emphasizing the critical importance of optimizing the biofortification protocol. Future research should explore the economic viability, long-term ecological sustainability, and the broad nutritional implications of incorporating Se-enriched soybeans into food for humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionSelenium (Se) deficiency, stemming from malnutrition in humans and animals, has the potential to disrupt many vital physiological processes, particularly those reliant on specific selenoproteins. Agronomic biofortification of crops through the application of Se-containing sprays provides an efficient method to enhance the Se content in the harvested biomass. An optimal candidate for systematic enrichment, guaranteeing a broad trophic impact, must meet several criteria: (i) efficient accumulation of Se without compromising crop yield, (ii) effective conversion of mineral Se fertilizer into usable organically bound Se forms (Seorg), (iii) acceptance of a Se-enriched crop as livestock feed, and (iv), interest from the food processing industry in utilization of Se-enriched outputs. Hence, priority should be given to high-protein leafy crops, such as soybean.MethodsA three-year study in the Czech Republic was conducted to investigate the response of field-grown soybean plants to foliar application of Na2SeO4 solutions (0, 15, 40, and 100 g/ha Se); measured outcomes included crop yield, Se distribution in aboveground biomass, and the chemical speciation of Se in seeds.Results and DiscussionSeed yield was unaffected by applied SeO42-, with Se content reaching levels as high as 16.2 mg/kg. The relationship between SeO42-dose and Se content in seeds followed a linear regression model. Notably, the soybeans demonstrated an impressive 73% average recovery of Se in seeds. Selenomethionine was identified as the predominant species of Se in enzymatic hydrolysates of soybean, constituting up to 95% of Seorg in seeds. Minor Se species, such as selenocystine, selenite, and selenate, were also detected. The timing of Se spraying influenced both plant SeO42- biotransformation and total content in seeds, emphasizing the critical importance of optimizing the biofortification protocol. Future research should explore the economic viability, long-term ecological sustainability, and the broad nutritional implications of incorporating Se-enriched soybeans into food for humans and animals.

Soybean seed protein content (PC) and oil content (OC) have important economic value. Detecting the loci/gene related to PC and OC is important for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding of soybean. To detect the stable and new loci for PC and OC, a total of 320 soybean accessions collected from the major soybean-growing countries were used to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by resequencing. The PC ranged from 37.8% to 46.5% with an average of 41.1% and the OC ranged from 16.7% to 22.6% with an average of 21.0%. In total, 23 and 29 loci were identified, explaining 3.4%-15.4% and 5.1%-16.3% of the phenotypic variations for PC and OC, respectively. Of these, eight and five loci for PC and OC, respectively, overlapped previously reported loci and the other 15 and 24 loci were newly identified. In addition, nine candidate genes were identified, which are known to be involved in protein and oil biosynthesis/metabolism, including lipid transport and metabolism, signal transduction, and plant development pathway. These results uncover the genetic basis of soybean protein and oil biosynthesis and could be used to accelerate the progress in enhancing soybean PC and OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean crop is regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses with great potential in reducing grain yield and quality. The selection of resistant cultivars is a promising approach for mitigating these damages. We evaluated the chemical profile of Glycine max leaves from different cultivars in order to explore their defense mechanisms against Spodoptera cosmioides caterpillars. We optimized solid-liquid extraction techniques using ultrasound bath and static headspace extraction. Additionally, we developed an approach based on liquid and gas chromatography for analyzing the chemical profile of G. max cultivars. The principal component analysis allowed the classification of transgenic cultivars, which are classified as susceptible to S. cosmioides, from those obtained by genetic improvement and resistant to the insect. Differences were observed in the abundance of phenolic glycosides, lipids, aldehydes, and alcohols. More specifically, S. cosmioides resistant cultivars presented molecules related to the jasmonic and salicylic acid pathways. Such data can contribute to a molecular understanding of phenotypic diversity in soybean cultivars, from plant quality to resistance mechanisms and adaptation, to environmental stress and herbivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean crop is regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses with great potential in reducing grain yield and quality. The selection of resistant cultivars is a promising approach for mitigating these damages. We evaluated the chemical profile of Glycine max leaves from different cultivars in order to explore their defense mechanisms against Spodoptera cosmioides caterpillars. We optimized solid–liquid extraction techniques using ultrasound bath and static headspace extraction. Additionally, we developed an approach based on liquid and gas chromatography for analyzing the chemical profile of G. max cultivars. The principal component analysis allowed the classification of transgenic cultivars, which are classified as susceptible to S. cosmioides, from those obtained by genetic improvement and resistant to the insect. Differences were observed in the abundance of phenolic glycosides, lipids, aldehydes, and alcohols. More specifically, S. cosmioides resistant cultivars presented molecules related to the jasmonic and salicylic acid pathways. Such data can contribute to a molecular understanding of phenotypic diversity in soybean cultivars, from plant quality to resistance mechanisms and adaptation, to environmental stress and herbivory.

P2-type Ca2+ ATPases are responsible for cellular Ca2+ transport, which plays an important role in plant development and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of P2-type Ca2+ ATPases in stress response and stomatal regulation is still elusive in soybean. In this study, a total of 12 P2-type Ca2+ ATPases genes (GmACAs and GmECAs) were identified from the genome of Glycine max. We analyzed the evolutionary relationship, conserved motif, functional domain, gene structure and location, and promoter elements of the family. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis showed that vegetable soybean leaves are damaged to different extents under salt, drought, cold, and shade stresses. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that most of the GmACAs and GmECAs are up-regulated after drought, cold, and NaCl treatment, but are down-regulated after shading stress. Microscopic observation showed that different stresses caused significant stomatal closure. Spatial location and temporal expression analysis suggested that GmACA8, GmACA9, GmACA10, GmACA12, GmACA13 , and GmACA11 might promote stomatal closure under drought, cold, and salt stress. GmECA1 might regulate stomatal closure in shading stress. GmACA1 and GmECA3 might have a negative function on cold stress. The results laid an important foundation for further study on the function of P2-type Ca2+ ATPase genes GmACAs and GmECAs for breeding abiotic stress-tolerant vegetable soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P2-type Ca2+ ATPases are responsible for cellular Ca2+ transport, which plays an important role in plant development and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of P2-type Ca2+ ATPases in stress response and stomatal regulation is still elusive in soybean. In this study, a total of 12 P2-type Ca2+ ATPases genes (GmACAs and GmECAs) were identified from the genome of Glycine max. We analyzed the evolutionary relationship, conserved motif, functional domain, gene structure and location, and promoter elements of the family. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis showed that vegetable soybean leaves are damaged to different extents under salt, drought, cold, and shade stresses. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that most of the GmACAs and GmECAs are up-regulated after drought, cold, and NaCl treatment, but are down-regulated after shading stress. Microscopic observation showed that different stresses caused significant stomatal closure. Spatial location and temporal expression analysis suggested that GmACA8, GmACA9, GmACA10, GmACA12, GmACA13, and GmACA11 might promote stomatal closure under drought, cold, and salt stress. GmECA1 might regulate stomatal closure in shading stress. GmACA1 and GmECA3 might have a negative function on cold stress. The results laid an important foundation for further study on the function of P2-type Ca2+ ATPase genes GmACAs and GmECAs for breeding abiotic stress-tolerant vegetable soybean.

Nitrogen deficiency limits crop performance under elevated CO2 (eCO2), depending on the ability of plant N uptake. However, the dynamics and redistribution of N2 fixation, and fertilizer and soil N use in legumes under eCO2 have been little studied. Such an investigation is essential to improve the adaptability of legumes to climate change. We took advantage of genotype-specific responses of soybean to increased CO2 to test which N-uptake phenotypes are most strongly related to enhanced yield. Eight soybean cultivars were grown in open-top chambers with either 390 ppm (aCO2) or 550 ppm CO2 (eCO2). The plants were supplied with 100 mg N kg−1 soil as 15N-labeled calcium nitrate, and harvested at the initial seed-filling (R5) and full-mature (R8) stages. Increased yield in response to eCO2 correlated highly (r = 0.95) with an increase in symbiotically fixed N during the R5 to R8 stage. In contrast, eCO2 only led to small increases in the uptake of fertilizer-derived and soil-derived N during R5 to R8, and these increases did not correlate with enhanced yield. Elevated CO2 also decreased the proportion of seed N redistributed from shoot to seeds, and this decrease strongly correlated with increased yield. Moreover, the total N uptake was associated with increases in fixed-N per nodule in response to eCO2, but not with changes in nodule biomass, nodule density, or root length.

Nitrogen deficiency limits crop performance under elevated CO2 (eCO2), depending on the ability of plant N uptake. However, the dynamics and redistribution of N2 fixation, and fertilizer and soil N use in legumes under eCO2 have been little studied. Such an investigation is essential to improve the adaptability of legumes to climate change. We took advantage of genotype-specific responses of soybean to increased CO2 to test which N-uptake phenotypes are most strongly related to enhanced yield. Eight soybean cultivars were grown in open-top chambers with either 390 ppm (aCO2) or 550 ppm CO2 (eCO2). The plants were supplied with 100mg N kg-1 soil as 15N-labeled calcium nitrate, and harvested at the initial seed-filling (R5) and full-mature (R8) stages. Increased yield in response to eCO2 correlated highly (r = 0.95) with an increase in symbiotically fixed N during the R5 to R8 stage. In contrast, eCO2 only led to small increases in the uptake of fertilizer-derived and soil-derived N during R5 to R8, and these increases did not correlate with enhanced yield. Elevated CO2 also decreased the proportion of seed N redistributed from shoot to seeds, and this decrease strongly correlated with increased yield. Moreover, the total N uptake was associated with increases in fixed-N per nodule in response to eCO2, but not with changes in nodule biomass, nodule density, or root length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean seed protein content (PC) and oil content (OC) have important economic value. Detecting the loci/gene related to PC and OC is important for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding of soybean. To detect the stable and new loci for PC and OC, a total of 320 soybean accessions collected from the major soybean-growing countries were used to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by resequencing. The PC ranged from 37.8% to 46.5% with an average of 41.1% and the OC ranged from 16.7% to 22.6% with an average of 21.0%. In total, 23 and 29 loci were identified, explaining 3.4%-15.4% and 5.1%-16.3% of the phenotypic variations for PC and OC, respectively. Of these, eight and five loci for PC and OC, respectively, overlapped previously reported loci and the other 15 and 24 loci were newly identified. In addition, nine candidate genes were identified, which are known to be involved in protein and oil biosynthesis/metabolism, including lipid transport and metabolism, signal transduction, and plant development pathway. These results uncover the genetic basis of soybean protein and oil biosynthesis and could be used to accelerate the progress in enhancing soybean PC and OC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Jin, Yang, Zhao, Song, Tsvetkov, Wu, Gao, Zhang and Zhang.)

Soybean crop is regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses with great potential in reducing grain yield and quality. The selection of resistant cultivars is a promising approach for mitigating these damages. We evaluated the chemical profile of Glycine max leaves from different cultivars in order to explore their defense mechanisms against Spodoptera cosmioides caterpillars. We optimized solid-liquid extraction techniques using ultrasound bath and static headspace extraction. Additionally, we developed an approach based on liquid and gas chromatography for analyzing the chemical profile of G. max cultivars. The principal component analysis allowed the classification of transgenic cultivars, which are classified as susceptible to S. cosmioides , from those obtained by genetic improvement and resistant to the insect. Differences were observed in the abundance of phenolic glycosides, lipids, aldehydes, and alcohols. More specifically, S. cosmioides resistant cultivars presented molecules related to the jasmonic and salicylic acid pathways. Such data can contribute to a molecular understanding of phenotypic diversity in soybean cultivars, from plant quality to resistance mechanisms and adaptation, to environmental stress and herbivory., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Aguiar, Mueller de Freitas, de Freitas, Boiça Júnior, Carneiro, da Silva, Fernandes and Forim.)

P 2 -type Ca 2+ ATPases are responsible for cellular Ca 2+ transport, which plays an important role in plant development and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of P 2 -type Ca 2+ ATPases in stress response and stomatal regulation is still elusive in soybean. In this study, a total of 12 P 2 -type Ca 2+ ATPases genes ( GmACAs and GmECAs ) were identified from the genome of Glycine max . We analyzed the evolutionary relationship, conserved motif, functional domain, gene structure and location, and promoter elements of the family. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis showed that vegetable soybean leaves are damaged to different extents under salt, drought, cold, and shade stresses. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that most of the GmACAs and GmECAs are up-regulated after drought, cold, and NaCl treatment, but are down-regulated after shading stress. Microscopic observation showed that different stresses caused significant stomatal closure. Spatial location and temporal expression analysis suggested that GmACA8, GmACA9, GmACA10, GmACA12, GmACA13 , and GmACA11 might promote stomatal closure under drought, cold, and salt stress. GmECA1 might regulate stomatal closure in shading stress. GmACA1 and GmECA3 might have a negative function on cold stress. The results laid an important foundation for further study on the function of P 2 -type Ca 2+ ATPase genes GmACAs and GmECAs for breeding abiotic stress-tolerant vegetable soybean., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wang, Fu, Zhang, Chen, Li, Shangguan, Zheng, Xu, Chen and Xu.)

Nitrogen deficiency limits crop performance under elevated CO 2 (eCO 2 ), depending on the ability of plant N uptake. However, the dynamics and redistribution of N 2 fixation, and fertilizer and soil N use in legumes under eCO 2 have been little studied. Such an investigation is essential to improve the adaptability of legumes to climate change. We took advantage of genotype-specific responses of soybean to increased CO 2 to test which N-uptake phenotypes are most strongly related to enhanced yield. Eight soybean cultivars were grown in open-top chambers with either 390 ppm (aCO 2 ) or 550 ppm CO 2 (eCO 2 ). The plants were supplied with 100 mg N kg -1 soil as 15 N-labeled calcium nitrate, and harvested at the initial seed-filling (R5) and full-mature (R8) stages. Increased yield in response to eCO 2 correlated highly ( r = 0.95) with an increase in symbiotically fixed N during the R5 to R8 stage. In contrast, eCO 2 only led to small increases in the uptake of fertilizer-derived and soil-derived N during R5 to R8, and these increases did not correlate with enhanced yield. Elevated CO 2 also decreased the proportion of seed N redistributed from shoot to seeds, and this decrease strongly correlated with increased yield. Moreover, the total N uptake was associated with increases in fixed-N per nodule in response to eCO 2 , but not with changes in nodule biomass, nodule density, or root length.