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Potential and Prospects of Novel Molecular Breeding Techniques for Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] improvement

Jyoti Kumari , Vedna Kumari, RONIKA THAKUR , Rishita Kapoor, . PRIYANKA , Sudarshna Kumari, Vishva Chaturvedi

Abstract

Soybean is one of the most prominent legume crop, primarily being cultivated as a substitute for high-protein meat and a source of vegetable oil. Soybean has always been in demand worldwide due to its nutritious cum economic value and presence of bioactive compounds. Soybean and similar higher market-value products are used either directly or as a component in various soy-based items. Conventional breeding techniques have increased soybean yields for the past few years but are not able to meet the demands of the world’s rapidly growing population. Therefore, new genomic techniques are required to overcome those challenges. The role of novel molecular breeding techniques such as speed breeding, modifications of genome editing, genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, breeding by design, and RNA-directed DNA methylation are summarized in this review highlighting their future potential in soybean improvement. These techniques have opened up opportunities to introduce greater genetic diversity into the soybean germplasm. Different soybean yield, quality, and other agricultural traits including abiotic and biotic stresses have been improved using these techniques and research is underway to revolutionize the soybean genomic field.

CP24139  Accepted 19 March 2025

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