Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 257-269 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 257 Review and Progress Open Access In-Depth Analysis of Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Bases of Drought Tolerance in Soybeans Haiying Wang, Xingdong Yao , Yue Guo, Lei Wang, Mengdi Yang College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, China Corresponding email: xingdongyao@syau.edu.cn Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0025 Received: 10 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 11 Oct., 2024 Published: 21 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang H.Y., Yao X.D., Guo Y., Wang L., and Yang M.D., 2024, In-depth analysis of physiological, biochemical, and molecular bases of drought tolerance in soybeans, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 257-269 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0025) Abstract Drought tolerance in soybeans is critical for maintaining productivity under water-limited conditions. This study aims to elucidate the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in soybeans, integrating advanced breeding strategies to enhance crop resilience. Physiological aspects such as root morphology, aquaporins, osmotic adjustment, and stomatal regulation are examined to understand water uptake and retention. Biochemical defenses, including antioxidant systems, metabolic pathways, and membrane stability, are analyzed for their roles in stress mitigation. Molecular studies focus on gene expression, signal transduction, and omics approaches to identify key drought-responsive elements. Integrative systems biology, gene editing, and biotechnology are discussed for developing drought-tolerant varieties. Practical applications in breeding and field trials are highlighted, addressing environmental variability and stress management. The study concludes with future research directions, emphasizing novel genes, epigenetic regulation, and the challenges in translating research into practice. This comprehensive approach aims to improve soybean drought tolerance, contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture. Keywords Drought tolerance; Soybeans; Physiological mechanisms; Biochemical defense; Molecular regulation 1 Introduction Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a crucial crop globally, serving as a significant source of protein and oil for human and animal consumption. However, drought stress is a major environmental factor that severely limits soybean growth and productivity. The increasing frequency and intensity of drought events due to climate change have exacerbated this issue, making the development of drought-tolerant soybean varieties a critical area of research (Aleem et al., 2020; Xiong et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). Drought stress affects various physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes in soybeans, leading to reduced yield and quality. Understanding the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance is essential for breeding and engineering soybean varieties that can withstand water-deficit conditions (Silvente et al., 2012; Zhao et al., 2022; Fatema et al., 2023). Recent studies have employed advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), metabolomics, and transcriptome analysis to identify key genes, metabolic pathways, and physiological traits associated with drought tolerance in soybeans. For instance, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in water and auxin transport, antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolism have been identified as crucial players in the drought response (Aleem et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). Additionally, the use of novel nanomaterials like graphene oxide has shown promise in enhancing drought tolerance by improving water retention and activating stress-responsive genes (Zhao et al., 2022). These findings provide valuable insights into the complex network of responses that enable soybeans to cope with drought stress. The study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular bases of drought tolerance in soybeans. By integrating data from various research approaches, including transcriptome profiling, metabolite analysis, and physiological assessments, this study aims to identify key genes and metabolic pathways involved in the drought response of soybean. Additionally, it seeks to elucidate the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in soybean under drought stress. Furthermore, this study investigates the potential of novel materials and genetic engineering approaches to enhance drought tolerance in soybean. This comprehensive
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