Search Results (70)

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivation is expanding in Central Europe due to the development of early-maturing cultivars and growing demand for plant-based protein produced without the use of genetically modified organisms. However, nitrogen (N) management remains a major challenge in temperate climates, where variable weather conditions can significantly affect nodulation and yield. This study evaluated the effects of three nitrogen fertilisation doses (0, 30, and 60 kg N·ha⁻¹), applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N) and two commercial rhizobial inoculants—HiStick Soy (containing Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 532C) and Nitragina (including a Polish strain of B. japonicum)—on nodulation, nitrogen uptake, and seed yield. A three-year field experiment (2017–2019) was conducted in southwestern Poland using a two-factor randomized complete block design. Nodulation varied significantly across years, with the highest values recorded under favourable early-season moisture and reduced during drought. In the first year, inoculation with HiStick Soy significantly increased nodule number and seed yield compared to Nitragina and the uninoculated control. Nitrogen fertilisation consistently improved seed yield, although it had no significant effect on nodulation. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was observed with moderate nitrogen input (30 kg N·ha⁻¹) combined with inoculation. These findings highlight the importance of integrating effective rhizobial inoculants with optimized nitrogen fertilisation to improve soybean productivity and nitrogen efficiency under variable temperate climate conditions. Full article

Soybeans are a primary source of plant-based protein, with seeds containing approximately 40% protein—a key quality trait. Selecting superior hybrid combinations and managing progeny effectively are crucial for developing high-protein soybean varieties. Using a recombinant inbred line population (RIL3613) derived from Dongnong L13 × Heihe 36 and its previously constructed high-density genetic linkage map, QTLs and QTL × environment interactions (QEIs) associated with seed protein content (SPC) were identified through the bi-parental population (BIP) model and multi-environment trials (MET) model in QTL IciMapping v4.2. Candidate genes were then predicted via sequence alignment and haplotype analysis between the parents. Finally, simulated breeding was conducted using the B4L function in the In Silico Breeding (ISB) module of the Blib platform to determine optimal breeding strategies across diverse environments. The analysis identified 19 QTLs associated with SPC and 97 QEIs linked to SPC. These QTLs collectively explained 84.442% of the phenotypic variance, with four QTLs exhibiting significant contributions. A key candidate gene, Glyma.12G231400, associated with soybean SPC, was predicted within the 38,995,090–39,293,825 bp interval on chromosome 12. Across 11 environments, three to six optimal breeding schemes were selected, all employing modified pedigree selection. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of soybean protein formation and provide technological support for molecular breeding for seed quality improvement. Full article

The coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops has been a subject of considerable concern, particularly in the context of the extensive utilisation of GM crops. In response to this concern, various countries have devised coexistence strategies that are tailored to their respective national contexts, taking into account economic, political, technological and public acceptability factors. In the context of planting, countries such as the United States and Brazil have adopted a strategy of coexistence management, whereby the responsibility for implementing isolation measures falls upon premium producers. In contrast, the European Union, Japan and other countries that import GM crops have enacted legislation requiring growers to adhere to stringent isolation measures to prevent the mixing of GM and non-GM crops. Internationally, GM products are distinguished by a labelling management system to satisfy the public’s right to know and choose and to realise the coexistence of GM and non-GM during circulation and consumption. When considered in the context of China’s specific national conditions, particularly the prevalence of a small-scale peasant economy, it is recommended that China draw upon the lessons learned from the field coexistence strategies employed in countries that have adopted GM planting. This recommendation involves the refinement and enhancement of existing labelling management practices as well as the formulation of a coexistence management policy that is characterised by cost savings, efficiency gains and robust operational capabilities. The implementation of these measures is expected to foster the commercialisation of GM soybean and maize in China. Full article

Soybean is crucial to food processing and agricultural output. However, pests and diseases can easily impact soybeans, reducing their production. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a soilborne pathogen that has a large geographic range, a long lifespan, and the potential to inflict substantial harm to the soybean industry. Persistent use of major resistance genes leads to a progressive loss of resistance; therefore, continuous identification of new soybean strains and genes is essential for continued sustainable soybean production. In this research, the SCN-resistant and SCN-sensitive germplasm DN-L10 and Heinong 37 were inoculated with SCN 3. After stress treatment, the stressed roots were collected for RNA-Seq analysis. The sequencing results screened out the differentially expressed gene GmbHLH18. The GmbHLH18 gene was cloned, and the overexpression vector pCAMBIA3300-GmbHLH18 was constructed. Agrobacterium infected soybean hairy roots and genetically modified the roots of DN50 soybeans, and transgenic root seedlings were obtained. The transgenically identified root seedlings were transplanted in soil infested with SCN 3, and resistance to root nematodes was determined by magenta staining. The secondary and tertiary structures of the protein, phosphorylation sites, as well as the hydrophilicity related to the GmbHLH18 gene were analyzed. Subsequently, the recombinant subcellular localization vector pCAMBIA1302-GmbHLH18 was employed. Agrobacterium was injected into tobacco leaves, and organelle-specific expression was observed. Finally, stress resistance-related indexes of the roots of overexpressing plants and WT plants under SCN 3 stress were measured. The results showed that overexpression and subcellular localization vectors were successfully constructed and transformed into Agrobacterium K599 and GV3101, respectively. The encoded protein had 1149 amino acids, a molecular weight of 95.76 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.04, 60 phosphorylation sites, a tertiary structure of a-helix (36.39%), random coil (53.40%), extended chain (8.64%), and corner (1.57%), and was hydrophilic. The protein that the gene encoded was a nuclear-localized protein, according to the results of subcellular localization analysis. Moreover, the Agrobacterium-induced hairy root test revealed that the number of overexpressed pCAMBIA3300-GmbHLH18 transgenic roots in the unit area of DN50 was substantially lower than in the control group, which at first suggested that the gene had partial resistance to SCN 3. Stress resistance-related indexes suggest that the contents of POD, SOD, and proline in the overexpressing root significantly increase after SCN 3 stress, demonstrating that this gene can enhance the plant’s resistance to the SCN 3 pathogen. Future research could focus on further elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the gene’s resistance to SCN 3 and exploring its potential application in breeding soybean varieties with enhanced resistance. Full article

Food aid commodities are essential food items in global food aid programming. Some are primarily made from an extrusion of corn and soybeans. However, there are concerns about the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) of some of these grains. Hence, there is a need for alternatives to grains, like sorghum, which is not GMO. It is critical to ensure that products from this new ingredient meet the quality requirements, hence the need to profile them. An expanded formulation sorghum-soy blend (SSB), obtained from extrusion cooking, was ground using a hammer mill and analyzed for changes in properties that were affected by the transformation of starch and protein during processing. Macro- and micro-nutrients were added to these milled blends to prepare fortified blended foods (FBFs) that could meet the recommendations of Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) report on energy, protein, and micronutrient content. The water absorption index (WAI) ranged from 2.82 to 5.90 g/g, the water solubility index (WSI) ranged from 6.22 to 18.50%, and the blends were affected by the formulation—whole/decorticated sorghum and different levels of fat. Extrusion processing caused starch gelatinization in the range of 90.69–96.26%. The pasting properties indicated that whole grain blends of SSB had lower peak time and higher final viscosity when compared to decorticated sorghum blends. The Bostwick flow rate of cooked porridges with 20% solids was within the recommended range of 9–21 cm/min. Starch digestibility significantly increased after extrusion, with a 149.65% increase in rapidly digestible starch (RDS). The protein digestibility did not vary significantly when subjected to extrusion and wet cooking. There was a significant reduction in anti-nutritional factors in the extruded binary blends of SSB when compared to respective raw blends: phytic acid was reduced by 25.33%, tannins were not found, and trypsin inhibitors were reduced by 19.50%. Thus, the extrusion processing of SSB with the subsequent addition of macro- and micro-ingredients was effective in producing FBFs with high nutritive value, comparable to FBF made from traditional ingredients. Full article

Understanding the ability of hybrids of genetically modified (GM) soybean and wild soybean to survive and reproduce under unfavorable conditions is critical for answering questions regarding risk assessment and the existence of transgenes in the environment. To investigate the effects of high-temperature stress on soybean growth and competitive ability, the GM soybean DBN8002, which expresses the VIP3Aa and PAT proteins, and F₂ generations derived from a cross between GM soybean and NJW (wild soybean) were placed in a greenhouse with an elevated temperature (38/32 °C) for 14 days, and the plant agronomic performance and foreign protein levels of hybrid soybean were evaluated to observe their responses to high temperature. The results revealed that the VIP3Aa and PAT protein levels in F₂ and GM were not influenced by high-temperature stress. In contrast, the pollen germination, pod number, hundred-seed weight, and seed vigor of the F₂ hybrid and parent soybean plants decreased after high-temperature stress. However, except for the number of fully filled seeds per plant, the above parameters of the F₂ hybrid were similar to or slightly lower than those of wild soybean, and no significant difference in fitness was observed between the F₂ hybrid and wild soybean, indicating that the growth and competitive ability of the hybrid were similar to those of its female parent under heat stress conditions, resulting in the transgenes persisting and spreading within agricultural ecosystems. Our results enhance the understanding of the GM soybean plant’s response to heat stress, lay the foundation for breeding heat-resistant soybean varieties, and provide new insights and advanced information on the ecological risks arising from the escape of transgenes. Full article

Herbicide-tolerant soybeans are the most extensively cultivated genetically modified (GM) crop globally. The effects of GM soybean and associated agronomic practices on soil microbial communities remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of planting GM soybeans with a glyphosate application on soil microbial diversity. The main bacterial and fungal community compositions (phylum level) were consistent for GM and non-GM soybeans. The alpha diversity analysis indicated that the bacterial Shannon index was significantly higher in GM rhizosphere soil during flowering compared to non-GM soil. There were no significant differences in the Shannon, Simpson, or ACE indices of the soil fungal communities between GM and non-GM soybeans in the same period. The PCoA analysis showed no significant differences in community structure between the GM and non-GM soybean soil for either fungi or bacteria during the same period. Although the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobium at the seedling stage was significantly lower in those GM than in those non-GM, it did not affect the final number of root nodules in either soybean type. The relative abundance of Frankia was significantly lower in GM rhizosphere soil during the seedling and flowering stages, whereas that of Thelebolus was significantly higher during flowering and pod filling. The abundance and ecological functions of these taxa warrant continuous monitoring. Full article

The number of genetically modified (GMO) events for canola, corn, and soybean is steadily increasing. Some countries, including those in the EU, have regulatory requirements for the approval and use of plant ingredients containing GMOs. Multiplex digital PCR (dPCR) has been used for the simultaneous detection and quantification of various GMO events. This review covers the various factors to consider for multiplex digital PCR detection and the quantification of GMO events. DNA quality, quantity, and the presence of inhibitors are important factors to consider. Some dPCR instruments allow the use of multiple fluorescent dyes, which facilitates the setup of multiplex dPCR assays. This review focuses on the optimization of multiplex dPCR and describes the multiplex dPCR assays that have been reported for GMO detection. Full article

Genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant soybean ‘Zhonghuang 6106’, which introduces a glyphosate-resistant gene, ensures soybean yield while allowing farmers to reduce the use of other herbicides, thereby reducing weed management costs. To protect consumer rights and facilitate government supervision, we have established a simple and rapid on-site nucleic acid detection method for GM soybean ‘Zhonghuang 6106’. This method leverages the isothermal amplification characteristics of RPA technology and the high specificity of CRISPR-Cas12a to achieve high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting GM soybean components. By optimizing experimental conditions, the platform can quickly produce visual detection results, significantly reducing detection time and improving efficiency. The system can detect down to 10 copies/μL of ‘Zhonghuang 6106’ DNA templates, and the entire detection process takes about 1 h. The technology also has strong editing capabilities; by redesigning the primers and crRNA in the method, it can become a specific detection method for other GM samples, providing strong technical support for the regulation and safety evaluation of GM crops. Full article

Land use practices face significant pressure due to increased demand and conflicting needs. Several factors contribute to this trend, such as the ever-increasing human population, the increased demand for food production, and the expansion of industrial and agricultural areas. This paper, focused on the cultivation patterns and investigating changes in land use of maize and soybean over time (i.e., both genetically modified and non-genetically modified) in two South African provinces. The objective was to determine whether there was a net increase or decrease in land cover age for these two crops between 2006 and 2017 in the selected study areas. Hence, the study utilized ArcGIS (10.8.1) software to quantify and map the land used for the cultivation of maize and soybean from 2006 to 2017 in Free State and North West provinces. The results show both provinces to have minimal expansion or change in cultivation areas for both maize and soybean between 2006 and 2017. We concluded that both maize and soybean cultivation areas in these provinces, did not expand beyond the current agricultural areas (space), and did not encroach onto new land areas. As a result, both maize and soybean do not currently pose a threat to the surrounding landscape (i.e., natural vegetation) and are not in direct competition with other neighboring land use practices. We recommend that data on the annual planting or cultivation area be consistently gathered, analyzed, and mapped to monitor any alterations that could influence the current findings. This will also assist with any land use planning and management practices. Full article

This study aims to establish an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for use with the ‘MiniMax’soybean cultivar. MiniMax is a mutant soybean whose growth cycle is around 90 days, half that of most other soybean varieties, making it an optimal model cultivar to test genes of interest before investing in modification of elite lines. We describe an efficient protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using MiniMax seeds. It uses a modified ‘half seed’ regeneration protocol for transgenic soybean production, utilizing the rapid generation MiniMax variety to obtain T1 seeds in approximately 145 days. Addition of phloroglucinol (PG) to the regeneration protocol was key to obtaining high-efficiency rooting of the regenerated shoots. Transfer to soil was accomplished using an organic soil amendment containing nutrients and mycorrhiza for plants to thrive in the greenhouse. This combination of genotype and stimulants provides a transformation protocol to genetically engineer MiniMax seeds with a transgenic lab-to-greenhouse production efficiency of 4.0%. This is the first report of MiniMax soybean whole plant transformation and heritable T1 transmission. This protocol provides an ideal resource for enhancing the genetic transformation of any soybean cultivar. Full article

We aimed to investigate the association of a sustainable diet with a long-term reduction in waist circumference (WC) while identifying novel biomarkers for WC reduction (WCR). The participants were recruited initially during 2004–2013 in a large hospital-based cohort, and the follow-up measurements were conducted during 2012–2016. The 65,611 adults aged 45–75 were categorized into WC-loss (n = 22,290) and WC-gain (n = 43,321). Each study investigated demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, genetic, and dietary factors. The modified Healthy Eating Index (MHEI), dietary patterns, and glycemic index were calculated from a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Novel biomarkers influencing WC reduction were identified using machine learning approaches. A WCR was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk and its components. Daily energy intake did not differ between those with and without WCR. However, MHEI, which represents diet quality, demonstrated a positive association with WCR. Among various dietary patterns, the Asian-style balanced diet (ABD), including more fermented soybeans and less restricted salt than the Diet Approach to Stop Hypertension, was positively associated with WCR. However, an inverse association was observed between the diet that was high in noodle and processed meat consumption and that which was high in rice consumption. However, the PRS for abdominal obesity did not significantly interrupt WCR. The receiver operating characteristic curve in the prediction model for WCR was about 0.86. The biomarkers in the models included MetS components, inflammation index, diet components, alcohol consumption, and smoking status, but not genetic factors. In conclusion, adopting a high-quality diet with a high MHEI like ABD leads to WCR, irrespective of genetic influences. These results could be applied to develop effective strategies for preventing and managing abdominal obesity. Full article

The proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) presents challenges to GMO testing laboratories and policymakers. Traditional methods, like quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), face limitations in quantifying the increasing number of GMOs in a single sample. Digital PCR (dPCR), specifically multiplexing, offers a solution by enabling simultaneous quantification of multiple GMO targets. This study explores the use of the Naica six-color Crystal dPCR platform for quantifying five GM soybean lines within a single six-plex assay. Two four-color assays were also developed for added flexibility. These assays demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity (limit of detection or LOD < 25 copies per reaction) and precision (bias to an estimated copy number concentration <15%). Additionally, two approaches for the optimization of data analysis were implemented. By applying a limit-of-blank (LOB) correction, the limit of quantification (LOQ) and LOD could be more precisely determined. Pooling of reactions additionally lowered the LOD, with a two- to eight-fold increase in sensitivity. Real-life samples from routine testing were used to confirm the assays’ applicability for quantifying GM soybean lines in complex samples. This study showcases the potential of the six-color Crystal dPCR platform to revolutionize GMO testing, facilitating comprehensive analysis of GMOs in complex samples. Full article

Partial least squares (PLS) is a statistical technique that can evaluate the association of large numbers of external environmental variables with biological responses. PLS is a good method for analyzing the relative importance of variables and compressing the data for regression analyses. The objective of this study was to use PLS and regression analyses on soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) variety trial results for five (soybean) or three (maize) maturity group (MG) tests, at five Tennessee locations spanning 14 years, in order to determine the environmental effects (weekly minimum and maximum air temperature and precipitation) on the expression of yield genetic variance (Vg). Overall, PLS excelled at identifying combinations of weather variables to develop models with high R² values (41–59%) relative to the regression analysis (R² = 34–44%), but they did not address the effects of specific variables as in regression analysis. In both maize and soybean, differences in genetic variance occurred among MG tests and locations. Overall, precipitation was the driving variable for maize Vg, indicating maize is more sensitive to rain events during the growing season than soybean, i.e., with each cm of precipitation, maize Vg increased by 11.38–23.78 (Mg ha⁻¹)². The results suggest that ensuring adequate water, particularly during weeks 3 and 6, is critical for maize Vg, regardless of the MG test and location. Genetically modified soybean cultivars responded similarly to conventional cultivars, suggesting no Vg response differences due to the glyphosate tolerance trait. These results have important implications for irrigation timing for the maximum expression of genetic differences in maize and soybean cultivars, particularly for management planning during future stochastic weather events. Full article

Genome sequencing is important for discovering critical genes in crops and improving crop breeding efficiency. Generally, fresh, young leaves are used for DNA extraction from plants. However, seeds, the storage form, are more efficient because they do not require cultivation and can be ground at room temperature. Yet, only a few DNA extraction kits or methods suitable for seeds have been developed to date. In this study, we introduced an improved (IMP) Boom method that is relatively low-cost, simple to operate, and yields high-quality DNA that can withstand long-read sequencing. The method successfully extracted approximately 8 µg of DNA per gram of seed weight from soybean seeds at an average concentration of 48.3 ng/µL, approximately 40-fold higher than that extracted from seeds using a common extraction method kit. The A_260/280 and A_260/230 values of the DNA were 1.90 and 2.43, respectively, which exceeded the respective quality thresholds of 1.8 and 2.0. The DNA also had a DNA integrity number value (indicating the degree of DNA degradation) of 8.1, higher than that obtained using the kit and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide methods. Furthermore, the DNA showed a read length N₅₀ of 20.96 kbp and a maximum read length of 127.8 kbp upon long-read sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore sequencer, with both values being higher than those obtained using the other methods. DNA extracted from seeds using the IMP Boom method showed an increase in the percentage of the nuclear genome with a decrease in the relative ratio of chloroplast DNA. These results suggested that the proposed IMP Boom method can extract high-quality and high-concentration DNA that can be used for long-read sequencing, which cannot be achieved from plant seeds using other conventional DNA extraction methods. The IMP Boom method could also be adapted to crop seeds other than soybeans, such as pea, okra, maize, and sunflower. This improved method is expected to improve the efficiency of various crop-breeding operations, including seed variety determination, testing of genetically modified seeds, and marker-assisted selection. Full article