Tianxia Guo

Author    Correspondence author
Genomics and Applied Biology, 2024, Vol. 15, No.   
Received: 01 Jan., 1970    Accepted: 01 Jan., 1970    Published: 23 Oct., 2024

Drought tolerance is crucial for soybean cultivation due to its significant impact on crop yield and sustainability. This study aims to synthesize current research on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of soybean to drought stress, with a focus on identifying traits and mechanisms that confer drought tolerance. The study examines the physiological responses to drought during the flowering and podding stages, including water relations, osmotic adjustment, stomatal conductance, transpiration, photosynthetic activity, and reproductive development. It also explores biochemical and molecular responses, highlighting antioxidant defense mechanisms, hormonal regulation, and gene expression related to drought tolerance. Furthermore, various screening methods for drought-tolerant varieties are discussed, encompassing field and controlled environment techniques, as well as the use of physiological and biochemical markers. Case studies of successful breeding programs and notable drought-tolerant soybean varieties are presented, alongside traditional and modern breeding strategies. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the strategies employed by soybean plants to cope with drought stress, offering valuable insights for future research and breeding efforts aimed at enhancing drought tolerance in soybean. The findings are expected to inform breeding programs and contribute to the development of drought-resilient cultivars, thereby improving soybean production and food security.