Iron (Fe) and sulphur (S) deficiency in soil are becoming serious concerns to the global wheat production system. The interaction between these two nutrients is critical for their availability, absorption, and transport in wheat. The alteration of root system architecture (RSA) and phytosiderophores (PS) release during nutrient deficiency may play a significant role in regulating the interactive metabolism of Fe and S in wheat. For this, bread and durum wheat plants were raised on Fe deficient (1 µM) and Fe sufficient nutrient solution (100 µM) under different S levels viz. 0 (S0), 1.2 (S1) and 2.5 (S2) mM, to study the effect of Fe and S nutrition on root system architecture, PS release and Fe-PS transporter in wheat.The results showed that both bread and durum wheat genotypes had a significant increase in root length, root surface area, and number of root tips under single or combined nutrient deficiency conditions as compared to sufficient condition. Comparative analysis of bread and durum wheat genotypes revealed increased PS biosynthesis and release, as well as increased Fe uptake in the form of the Fe-PS complex via the YS1 transporter with increasing doses of S, particularly under Fe deficient conditions in bread wheat, whereas in durum wheat, more S was used in other metabolic pathways rather than the PS biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrates that Fe and S content are significantly correlated with root characteristics, PS biosynthesis and release and expression of YS1 (Fe-PS uptake) transporter.
A composite hypocotyl–epicotyl–cotyledonary tri-complex (HECC) explant significantly improves soybean regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency (40.3
Expansion of soybean cultivation and favourable rainfall may promote Rhizoctonia aerial blight (RAB) development, while the narrow genetic base may limit resistance sources with desirable agronomic traits. Identifying resistant, high-yielding exotic germplasm may provide a useful approach for identifying genetic resources for RAB resistance. A total of 312 exotic soybean germplasm accessions were initially screened under favourable conditions to identify sources of resistance to RAB. Based on the initial screening and multi-location yield evaluation, 43 accessions were subsequently selected for field evaluation under epiphytotic conditions, with emphasis on RAB resistance and key agronomic attributes, including seed yield. The selected exotic germplasm accessions were subsequently screened by soil inoculation to assess root/hypocotyl response to Rhizoctonia solani and their ability to retain root and shoot biomass following infection. Evaluation across the field and controlled conditions identified EC 390981 A-S/1 as a promising source of RAB resistance. The accession maintained over 64
Climate stressors impact major oilseed crop systems of groundnut, mustard, and soybean in South Asia. Our analysis shows that the intensity of all heat-related and water stresses is projected to rise by the 2050 s and 2080 s, while rainfall-related stressors show mixed and uncertain responses. We also find that heat stress effects during the full crop cycle and the reproductive phases are different in nature. Critical-phase heat stress is likely to increase mainly in frequency rather than intensity, whereas full-cycle heat stress is likely to intensify in the future. These shifts in climate stressors have direct implications for the suitability of adaptation interventions for oilseed systems. Genetic options, such as stress-tolerant varieties, and financial instruments, such as crop insurance, emerge as consistently robust across scenarios. In contrast, structural, nutrient, and irrigation-based interventions lose effectiveness as climate stressors exceed their adaptive limits. By mapping these future suitability transitions, this study provides a first-order basis for tailored adaptation planning and climate-smart oilseed systems in South Asia.
Optimizing soybean yield remains a crucial challenge in meeting global food security demands. In this study, we report a comprehensive genetic analysis of yield-related traits in soybeans using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from crosses between 'Qihuang 34' (GH34) and 'Dongsheng 16' (DS16). Phenotypic analysis across two years (2023-2024) revealed significant variations between parental lines. Through high-density genetic mapping with 6297 SLAF markers spanning 2945.26 cM across 20 chromosomes, we constructed a genetic map with an average marker distance of 0.47 cM and 99.17% of gaps under 5 cM. QTL analysis identified ten significant loci across both years: in 2023, we detected six QTLs, including a major main stem node number (MSNN) QTL on chromosome 19 (LOD = 22.59, PVE = 24.57%), two seed number (SN) QTLs on chromosomes 14 and 18 (LOD = 2.52-2.85, PVE = 7.35% combined), and one pod number (PN) QTL on chromosome 20 (LOD = 4.68, PVE = 5.85%). The 2024 analysis revealed four major QTLs, notably a cluster on chromosome 19 harboring significant loci for MSNN (LOD = 37.92, PVE = 43.59%), PN (LOD = 18.16, PVE = 23.02%), and SN (LOD = 15.24, PVE = 19.59%). Within the stable chromosome 19 region, we identified seventeen candidate genes involved in crucial developmental processes. Gene expression analysis revealed distinct temporal patterns between parental lines during vegetative and reproductive stages, with GH34 showing dramatically higher expression of key reproductive genes Glyma.19G201300 and Glyma.19G201400 during the R1 stage. Our findings provide new insights into the genetic architecture of soybean stem node development and yield components, offering multiple promising targets for molecular breeding programs aimed at crop improvement.
