Researchers Identify Gene That Improves Soybean Cold Tolerance

Researchers from Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University and the National Coarse Cereals Engineering Research Center in China have identified a soybean gene that enhances cold tolerance by increasing melatonin production and regulating key stress-response pathways. The study found that GmSNAT1 helps soybeans better withstand low temperatures, making it a promising target for developing cold-tolerant varieties.

The researchers developed soybean plants with higher levels of the GmSNAT1 gene and plants in which the gene was disabled using CRISPR-Cas9. Soybeans with increased GmSNAT1 expression were more tolerant to cold, while those lacking the gene became more sensitive to low temperatures. Applying melatonin restored cold tolerance in the edited plants, confirming the compound's role in protecting plants from cold stress. Further analyses showed that GmSNAT1 improves cold tolerance by activating calcium signaling, regulating multiple plant hormones, strengthening antioxidant defenses, and helping maintain photosynthesis under cold conditions.

The team confirmed that GmSNAT1 physically interacts with the receptor protein GmPSYR1, which may help transmit cold-stress signals. The findings suggest that GmSNAT1 improves cold adaptation through melatonin production, stress signaling, and physiological protection. The researchers said the gene could serve as a valuable molecular target for breeding soybean varieties with improved tolerance to cold stress.

For more information, read the abstract from Plant Physiology.