Root system architecture, physiological and transcriptional traits of soybean (Glycine maxL.) in response to water deficit: A review

Drought stress is the main limiting factor for global soybean growth and production. Genetic improvement for water and nutrient uptake efficiency is critical to advance tolerance and enable more sustainable and resilient production, underpinning yield growth. The identification of quantitative traits and genes related to water and nutrient uptake will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of drought tolerance in soybean. This review summarizes drought stress in the context of the physiological traits that enable effective acclimation, with a particular focus on roots. Genes controlling root system architecture play an important role in water and nutrient availability, and therefore important targets for breeding strategies to improve drought tolerance. This review highlights the candidate genes that have been identified as regulators of important root traits and responses to water stress. Progress in our understanding of the function of particular genes, includingGmACX1,GmMSandGmPEPCKare discussed in the context of developing a system-based platform for genetic improvement of drought tolerance in soybean.

Automated summary

Drought stress is a significant limiting factor for soybean growth and production globally. Improving genetic traits related to water and nutrient uptake efficiency is crucial for enhancing tolerance and promoting sustainable and resilient production. This review focuses on identifying quantitative traits and genes associated with water and nutrient absorption to enhance understanding of drought tolerance mechanisms in soybean. It also highlights the importance of genes controlling root system architecture as targets for breeding strategies to improve drought tolerance in soybean, discussing candidate genes regulating key root traits and responses to water stress. Progress in understanding specific genes like GmACX1, GmMS, and GmPEPCK is discussed in relation to developing a system-based platform for genetic enhancement of drought tolerance in soybean.