The genetic basis of high-latitude adaptation in wild soybean

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.061
• Publication Date: 2022-12-19T15:32:19Z
• Authors: Lidong Dong; Shichen Li; Lingshuang Wang; Tong Su; Chunbao Zhang; Yingdong Bi; Yongcai Lai; Lingping Kong; Fan Wang; Xinxin Pei; Haiyang Li; Zhihong Hou; Haiping Du; Hao Du; Tai Li; Qun Cheng; Chao Fang; Fanjiang Kong; Baohui Liu
• Keywords: Glycine soja; Introgression; Germ plasm

In many plants, flowering time is influenced by daylength as an adaptive response. soybean (Glycine max) cultivars, however, photoperiodic reduces crop yield and quality in high-latitude regions. Understanding the genetic basis of wild soja) adaptation to high latitudes could aid breeding improved cultivars. Here, we identify Tof4 (Time 4) locus, which encodes E1-like protein, E1La, that represses enhances soybean. Moreover, found physically associates with promoters two important FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT2a FT5a) Tof5 inhibit their transcription under long photoperiods. The effect on maturity mediated FT2a FT5a proteins. Intriguingly, key repressor E1 independently but additively regulate time, maturity, grain We determined weak alleles have undergone natural selection, facilitating Notably, over 71.5% accessions harbor mutated or a previously reported gain-of-function allele Tof5H2, suggesting these loci are latitudes. Almost no cultivated carries tof4 allele. Introgression tof4-1 Tof5H2 into modern editing family genes thus represents promising avenues obtain early-maturity soybean, thereby improving productivity