Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 291-302 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 291 Feature Review Open Access Marker-Assisted Selection Strategies for Drought Tolerance in Soybean and Future Perspectives Xiaofei Tang, Yongguo Xue, Dan Cao, Xiaoyan Luan, Qi Liu, Zifei Zhu, Xinlei Liu Soybean Research Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Harbin, 150086, China Corresponding email: nkyddslxl@163.com Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0028 Received: 07 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 08 Dec., 2024 Published: 20 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Tang 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: Tang X.F., Xue Y.G., Cao D., Luan X.Y., Liu Q., Zhu Z.F., and Liu X.L., 2024, Marker-assisted selection strategies for drought tolerance in soybean and future perspectives, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(6): 291-302 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0028) Abstract Soybean is a crucial crop for global food security, yet its growth and yield are highly susceptible to drought stress. This study reviews the application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding drought-tolerant soybean varieties, summarizing the identification and utilization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and key candidate genes associated with drought tolerance. MAS enables the precise selection of drought tolerance traits using molecular markers, significantly shortening breeding cycles and enhancing the efficiency of drought-resistant variety development. The study finds that drought tolerance, a complex trait controlled by multiple genes and significantly affected by environmental factors, requires the integration of genomic selection and high-throughput genotyping technologies to improve MAS accuracy and applicability. The paper discusses potential future directions, including the integration of climate-resilient agricultural practices and emerging technologies in MAS, offering comprehensive theoretical and practical guidance for advancing drought-tolerant soybean breeding. Keywords Marker-assisted selection; Drought tolerance; Soybean breeding; Quantitative trait loci; Genomic selection 1 Introduction Drought stress is one of the most significant abiotic factors adversely affecting agricultural productivity worldwide. Soybean (Glycine max L.), a crucial crop for food security, is particularly sensitive to drought conditions, which can severely impact its yield and production stability (Valliyodan et al., 2016; Dubey et al., 2019). The interaction of drought with other stress factors, such as high temperatures, exacerbates the negative effects on soybean growth and productivity. As climate change continues to intensify, the frequency and severity of drought events are expected to increase, posing a further threat to soybean production and global food security. Given the critical role of soybean in global agriculture, developing drought-tolerant varieties is essential to ensure stable yields under water-limiting conditions. Enhancing drought tolerance in soybean can help mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress, thereby improving yield stability and contributing to food security (Dubey et al., 2019). The success of breeding programs aimed at improving drought tolerance relies heavily on the genetic diversity present in the germplasm base and the identification of traits associated with drought resistance (Valliyodan et al., 2016). By focusing on traits such as root system architecture, water-use efficiency, and nitrogen fixation, researchers can develop soybean varieties that are better equipped to withstand drought conditions (Fatema et al., 2023). Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a powerful tool in plant breeding that utilizes molecular markers to select for desirable traits, such as drought tolerance, more efficiently and accurately than traditional breeding methods. MAS enables the identification and incorporation of specific genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with drought tolerance into elite soybean varieties (Cattivelli et al., 2008). Advances in genomic technologies, such as high-throughput sequencing and genotyping platforms, have facilitated the discovery of numerous markers linked to drought tolerance traits (Valliyodan et al., 2016). By integrating MAS with conventional breeding approaches, researchers can accelerate the development of drought-tolerant soybean varieties, ultimately enhancing crop resilience and productivity under adverse environmental conditions (Ren et al., 2020).
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