CRISPR Enhances Salt Tolerance of Soybeans

A study published in The Plant Journal reveals the transformative potential of gene editing in developing soybean plants with enhanced salt tolerance. This advancement marks a significant leap toward developing resilient soybean plants capable of thriving in challenging environments, paving the way for improved crop productivity in regions affected by soil salinity.

The researchers identified and knocked down GmCG-1 and its paralogues, GmCG-2 and GmCG-3, through CRISPR-Cas9 technology, generating two stable multigene knockdown mutants. The results show decreased β-conglycinin content and a significant increase in the 11S/7S ratio, total protein content, and sulfur-containing amino acid content. The study also found that the globulin mutant exhibited salt tolerance in the germination and seedling stages.

The analyses revealed that the mutant plant followed a pathway closer to salicylic acid biosynthesis, but had defects in cytokinin synthesis, leading to increased expression of plant dehydrin-related salt tolerance proteins and cell membrane ion transporters. The study concludes that knockdown of the β-conglycinin α and α′ subunits has the potential to improve nutritional quality and salt tolerance of soybean seeds and plants.

For more information, read the abstract from The Plant Journal.