Legume Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 81-90 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 86 soybeans, indicating that GmNARK is indeed involved in systemic nodular regulation. Although these mutants have a stronger nitrogen fixation ability, problems also arise: the overall plant growth deteriorates (Lin et al., 2024). That is to say, a large number of root nodules does not necessarily mean a high yield; instead, it may lead to "neglecting one aspect for another". Figure 2 Phenotypes of wild-type, GmCLV1AandGmNARKsoybean mutants (Adopted from Gresshoff et al., 2025) Image caption: Note the abundant nodulation (normal-sized nodules!) for the near-isogenic W677* mutant of soybean cultivar Forrest (GmNARK and GmCLV1A) inoculated with the Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens strain USDA110 (previously named B. japonicum USDA 110) and its behavior normally in vegetative and fruit development (A, D, G). Mutant S562L is mutated in GmCLV1A, the duplicated copy of GmNARK, and shows normal nodulation (it is GmNARK), but is severely altered in its vegetative and fruit development (reminiscent of one of the Arabidopsis Atclv1− phenotypes) (B, E, H). Mutant W677* is mutated in GmNARK. It shows supernodulation, but there was no strong effect on its vegetative and fruit development (GmCLV1A) (C, F, I). Scale bars =1 cm (Adopted from Gresshoff et al., 2025) 6.3 Implications for improving nodule efficiency in soybean cultivation So, should "brake genes" like GmNARKbe activated or not? The answer is probably not that simple. On the one hand, moderate knotting can enhance nitrogen fixation efficiency. However, if it gets out of control, a large amount of plant nutrients will flow into the root nodules, which will instead affect the yield. At this point, if the activity of GmNARKcan be appropriately regulated or the CLE peptide signal can be intervened, it is possible to achieve the goal of "forming tumors when it should and stopping when it should not". This is crucial for breeding.
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