Researchers Identify Gene Influencing Flowering Time and Salt Sensitivity in Soybeans

Researchers from Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that the GmAP1 gene in soybean plays a key role in delaying flowering and increasing sensitivity to salt stress. The study shows that editing this gene could help develop soybean varieties that mature earlier and tolerate challenging saline environments.

The study revealed that overexpression delayed flowering by suppressing flowering-related genes, such as CONSTANS (CO) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), while increasing FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) activity. The study also found that salt stress strongly induced GmAP1 expression, leading to chlorophyll degradation and reduced photosynthetic rates in overexpressing plants.

In vivo and in vitro biochemical assays confirm that GmAP1 breaks down the Rubisco large subunit (rbcL), which is linked to reduced photosynthesis and delayed flowering in overexpressing plants under salt stress. The researchers concluded that GmAP1 coordinates photosynthetic energy supply and reproductive transition in soybean.

For more information, read the study from Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.