Transgenic soybean plants overexpressing <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-acetylserine sulfhydrylase accumulate enhanced levels of cysteine and Bowman–Birk protease inhibitor in seeds

Soybeans provide an excellent source of protein in animal feed. Soybean protein quality can be enhanced by increasing the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids. Previous attempts to increase the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids through the expression of heterologous proteins have met with limited success. Here, we report a successful strategy to increase the cysteine content of soybean seed through the overexpression of a key sulfur assimilatory enzyme. We have generated several transgenic soybean plants that overexpress a cytosolic isoform of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS). These transgenic soybean plants exhibit a four- to tenfold increase in OASS activity when compared with non-transformed wild-type. The OASS activity in the transgenic soybeans was significantly higher at all the stages of seed development. Unlike the non-transformed soybean plants, there was no marked decrease in the OASS activity even at later stages of seed development. Overexpression of cytosolic OASS resulted in a 58–74% increase in protein-bound cysteine levels compared with non-transformed wild-type soybean seeds. A 22–32% increase in the free cysteine levels was also observed in transgenic soybeans overexpressing OASS. Furthermore, these transgenic soybean plants showed a marked increase in the accumulation of Bowman–Birk protease inhibitor, a cysteine-rich protein. The overall increase in soybean total cysteine content (both free and protein-bound) satisfies the recommended levels required for the optimal growth of monogastric animals.     

Influence of new sulfur-containing fertilizers on performance of wheat yield

Wheat is the main cereal crop in Kazakhstan and fertilizers play an important role in enhancing harvest growth. In this study, the impact of new sulfur-containing fertilizers on the growth and yield of wheat was evaluated, and the resistance of varieties to Puccinia triticina Erikss was also investigated. (also known as Puccinia recondite Rob. ex Desm.) for recommendations in agriculture. The study was conducted from 2017 to 2020 in a nursery and greenhouse. The sulfur-containing fertilizer contains nutrients that allow you to extend the duration of absorption by the plant, thereby extending the period of their availability to plants, compared to conventional preparations. By encapsulating molten elemental sulfur and impregnating with a solution of calcium polysulfide, a long-acting compound based on amorphous and monocalcium phosphate was developed. The sulfur is in a water-soluble sulfate form, which, in turn, is slowly oxidized by bacteria and retained in the soil. Three different types of the developed sulfur-containing nano-particle have been used to test in greenhouses and nurseries: powdered, pasty sulfur-containing composition, and a solution of calcium polysulfide. The results showed that the use of powdered and dissolved sulfur-containing fertilizers contributed to the early ripeness and increased productivity of wheat. Wheat varieties were tested for the presence of key Lr genes that determine resistance to brown rust. The Omskaya 29 sample showed an immune response according to phytopathological assessment, and molecular screening revealed four resistance genes. The new sulfur-containing product is recommended for improving wheat productivity in agriculture, and the Omskaya 29 variety can also be used as a valuable breeding material resistant to brown rust.     

From sulfur to homoglutathione: thiol metabolism in soybean

Sulfur is an essential plant nutrient and is metabolized into the sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) and into molecules that protect plants against oxidative and environmental stresses. Although studies of thiol metabolism in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) have expanded our understanding of these dynamic processes, our knowledge of how sulfur is assimilated and metabolized in crop plants, such as soybean (Glycine max), remains limited in comparison. Soybean is a major crop used worldwide for food and animal feed. Although soybeans are protein-rich, they do not contain high levels of the sulfur-containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Ultimately, unraveling the fundamental steps and regulation of thiol metabolism in soybean is important for optimizing crop yield and quality. Here we review the pathways from sulfur uptake to glutathione and homoglutathione synthesis in soybean, the potential biotechnology benefits of understanding and modifying these pathways, and how information from the soybean genome may guide the next steps in exploring this biochemical system.     

利用野生大豆资源创新优质抗病大豆新种质

利用野生大豆与栽培大豆种间杂交中间材料与高产栽培大豆回交转育,创新选育出蛋白质含量45％以上,蛋脂总含量63％以上,分别抗大豆疫霉根腐病,抗大豆灰斑病,农艺性状优良的大豆创新种质资源3份。其中,龙品8802-1抗大豆疫霉根腐病兼抗大豆灰斑病,蛋白质含量45．64％,脂肪含量18．42％,蛋脂总含量64．06％;龙品01-757抗大豆灰斑病,蛋白质含量45．99％,脂肪含量19．4％,蛋脂总含量65．39％;龙品9501,中抗大豆灰斑病,蛋白质含量45．11％,脂肪含量18．32％,蛋脂总含量63．43％。研究结果表明,利用含有野生大豆血缘的种间杂交材料与高产栽培大豆回交,是拓宽大豆遗传基础,创新选育优质、抗病、农艺性状优良大豆新种质资源的有效途径。     

氮素营养与水分胁迫对大豆产量补偿效应的影响

在大豆营养生长期,对大豆进行不同程度的干旱锻炼,同时改变土壤中的施氮水平,研究大豆产量及其构成因子对干旱胁迫复水的反应机制,为大豆节水增产及抗旱机制的实践探索提供理论依据。水分胁迫强度、历时和氮素营养都对大豆产量及其构成因子的补偿效应产生明显影响,水分胁迫抑制了大豆单株粒数的增长,但可以显著提高百粒重;氮素营养会抑制大豆百粒重的增加,但在一定水分条件下可以显著提高单株籽粒的数量,然而随着水分胁迫程度的加重,单株粒数的增加幅度也会相应减少。虽然氮素营养和水分胁迫使大豆产量构成因子产生补偿效应的阈值范围不同,但二者具有一定的耦合区域,在耦合区域内(水分胁迫时间14d左右、土壤含水量为田间持水量的50%—55%、施氮量在97.5—225kg/hm2之间)单株粒数和百粒重都产生较强的补偿效应,二者的协同作用显著提高了大豆的经济产量,使大豆产量表现出较强的补偿效应。结果表明:氮素营养和适度水分胁迫可以通过不同途径提高大豆植株的生长能力,当二者结合后大豆的补偿生长机制更为复杂,最终表现为水分胁迫提高了大豆的百粒重,而氮素增加了大豆单株粒数,二者协同作用使大豆经济产量显著增加。     

A meta-analysis of elevated [CO2] effects on soybean (Glycine max) physiology, growth and yield

The effects of elevated [CO₂] on 25 variables describing soybean physiology, growth and yield are reviewed using meta‐analytic techniques. This is the first meta‐analysis to our knowledge performed on a single crop species and summarizes the effects of 111 studies. These primary studies include numerous soybean growth forms, various stress and experimental treatments, and a range of elevated [CO₂] levels (from 450 to 1250 p.p.m.), with a mean of 689 p.p.m. across all studies. Stimulation of soybean leaf CO₂ assimilation rate with growth at elevated [CO₂] was 39%, despite a 40% decrease in stomatal conductance and a 11% decrease in Rubisco activity. Increased leaf CO₂ uptake combined with an 18% stimulation in leaf area to provide a 59% increase in canopy photosynthetic rate. The increase in total dry weight was lower at 37%, and seed yield still lower at 24%. This shows that even in an agronomic species selected for maximum investment in seed, several plant level feedbacks prevent additional investment in reproduction, such that yield fails to reflect fully the increase in whole plant carbon uptake. Large soil containers (> 9 L) have been considered adequate for assessing plant responses to elevated [CO₂]. However, in open‐top chamber experiments, soybeans grown in large pots showed a significant threefold smaller stimulation in yield than soybeans grown in the ground. This suggests that conclusions about plant yield based on pot studies, even when using very large containers, are a poor reflection of performance in the absence of any physical restriction on root growth. This review supports a number of current paradigms of plant responses to elevated [CO₂]. Namely, stimulation of photosynthesis is greater in plants that fix N and have additional carbohydrate sinks in nodules. This supports the notion that photosynthetic capacity decreases when plants are N‐limited, but not when plants have adequate N and sink strength. The root : shoot ratio did not change with growth at elevated [CO₂], sustaining the charge that biomass allocation is unaffected by growth at elevated [CO₂] when plant size and ontogeny are considered.     

大豆突变新品系部分品质性状的分析

为丰富大豆种质资源,改良大豆品质,对现有的大豆品种进行改良,以获得新的大豆品系。大豆品种高蛋白东农42和高脂肪东农163经NaN3诱变处理后,分别在其M6代品系中取32份和54份材料进行实验,对它们的农艺性状(株高、百粒重等)和部分品质(脂肪、水溶蛋白和碱溶蛋白)进行了分析。结果表明:(1)所有品系的品质性状的变异系数差别较大,说明在后代中进行品质性状筛选是有效的;(2)突变品系内脂肪含量与水溶性蛋白含量呈显著负相关。     

Effectiveness of bacterization of soy plants by active races of nodule bacteria

Spontaneous nodule bacteria of soybean plants are absent from the Sutn-Eastern Kazakhstan soils. Therefore, bacterization of soybean plants with these bacteria is necessary for obtaining high crops of this culture. Among tested strains of soybean nodule bacteria, strain 623(a) was found to be the most effective one. The use of nitrogen with this strain stimulated the intensive formation of nodules, the growth and development of plants, the activation of physiological processes in them, and increased the yield of green mass, hay and grains as well as the content of protein in them and its yield per area unit. Mineral nitrogen added to soil at a concentration of 120 kg per hectare decreased the activity of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, increased the crop of green mass and hay, but decreased the yield of grain of soybean and other cultures sown after it in crop rotation.     

In Vivo Studies in Rhodospirillum rubrum Indicate That Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) Catalyzes Two Obligatorily Required and Physiologically Significant Reactions for Distinct Carbon and Sulfur Metabolic Pathways

All organisms possess fundamental metabolic pathways to ensure that needed carbon and sulfur compounds are provided to the cell in the proper chemical form and oxidation state. For most organisms capable of using CO₂ as sole source of carbon, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) catalyzes primary carbon dioxide assimilation. In addition, sulfur salvage pathways are necessary to ensure that key sulfur-containing compounds are both available and, where necessary, detoxified in the cell. Using knock-out mutations and metabolomics in the bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum, we show here that Rubisco concurrently catalyzes key and essential reactions for seemingly unrelated but physiologically essential central carbon and sulfur salvage metabolic pathways of the cell. In this study, complementation and mutagenesis studies indicated that representatives of all known extant functional Rubisco forms found in nature are capable of simultaneously catalyzing reactions required for both CO₂-dependent growth as well as growth using 5-methylthioadenosine as sole sulfur source under anaerobic photosynthetic conditions. Moreover, specific inactivation of the CO₂ fixation reaction did not affect the ability of Rubisco to support anaerobic 5-methylthioadenosine metabolism, suggesting that the active site of Rubisco has evolved to ensure that this enzyme maintains both key functions. Thus, despite the coevolution of both functions, the active site of this protein may be differentially modified to affect only one of its key functions.     

Effects of tree competition on corn and soybean photosynthesis, growth, and yield in a temperate tree-based agroforestry intercropping system in southern Ontario, Canada

In 1987, the University of Guelph established a large tree-based intercropping system on 30 ha of prime agricultural land in southern Ontario, Canada. The purpose was to investigate various aspects of intercropping trees with prime agricultural crops. In this study, objectives were to investigate tree competitive effects (i.e., shading and competition for soil moisture) on under-story crop net assimilation (NA), growth, and yield. The effects of tree competition on corn (C4 plant) and soybean (C3 plant) photosynthesis and productivity in the intercropped system were studied during the 1997 and 1998 growing seasons. Corn and soybeans were intercropped with hybrid poplar (clone-DN-177) and silver maple (Acer sacharrinum) at a within-row spacing of 6 m and between-row spacing of 12.5 or 15 m. Trees were absent from control rows. Tree rows were oriented approximately north and south. Twelve crop locations were sampled around each tree. These were at 2 and 6 m east and west of the tree, located along a primary axis running through the tree trunk and perpendicular to the tree row, and at 2 m north and south of each location along the primary axis. Net assimilation and plant water deficit measurements were made three times daily (morning, noon, afternoon) on sampling days in July. Generally, tree competition significantly reduced photosynthetic radiation (PAR), net assimilation (NA), and growth and yield of individual soybean or corn plants growing nearer (2 m) to tree rows in both years and soil moisture in 1998. NA was highly correlated with growth and yield of both crops. These correlations were higher for corn than soybeans in both years, with corn, rather than soybeans being more adversely impacted by tree shading. In 1997, poplar, rather than maple, had the greatest competitive effect on NA. In 1997, the lowest plant water deficits, for soybeans and for corn, were observed for the maple treatment. Nonetheless, in both years, daily plant water deficits were non-significantly and poorly correlated with NA and growth and yield of both crops. However, soil moisture (5 and 15 cm depth) was significantly correlated with soybeans yield in 1998. Possible remediation strategies are discussed to reduce tree competitive interactions on agricultural crops.     

Effect of the application of selenium on selenium content of soybean and its products

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of the application of selenium on the selenium content of soybean and its products in two counties with selenium-deficient soil. Selenium-enriched soybean was produced by the application of sodium selenite and Se-enriched fertilizer. The selenium contents of soybeans, soybean protein and okra were determined by hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the selenium contents of soybean, soybean protein, and okra were significantly increased by the application of sodium selenite and selenium-enriched fertilizer. Foliar application of selenium provided a higher efficiency for increasing the selenium content of soybean than soil application. Significant differences were found in that soybean cultivars exhibited different accumulation of selenium. There was no remarkable difference in soybean yield, soybean protein, and lipid between selenium and control. The selenium-enriched protein derived from selenium-enriched soybean could be used as a functional ingredient and soybean okra as a selenium-enriched feed for animals for increasing selenium intake.     

中国大豆(Glycine max)品种及种质资源主要品质状况分析

对2003年中国19个主要大豆种植省(直辖市、自治区)的大豆品种与种质资源的蛋白、脂肪含量和部分大豆品种水溶性蛋白含量进行了分析.结果表明,大豆种质资源的蛋白含量和蛋脂总量总体上与品种持平.品种脂肪含量总体上明显高于种质资源脂肪含量,说明当前中国种植的大豆中高脂肪的品种已经占有一定的比例. 北方、黄淮海、南方三大生态区大豆品种和种质资源蛋白含量呈现自北向南递增的趋势,而脂肪含量呈现递减趋势.生态、气象因子对大豆蛋白含量的影响大于对脂肪含量的影响.大豆水溶性蛋白含量总体上较高,基本适合豆制食品加工业的需要.     

高油、高淀粉玉米吸硫特性及施硫对其产量、品质的影响

研究了高油、高淀粉玉米硫素的吸收分配及施硫对籽粒产量、品质的作用。结果表明：在11250kg/hm^2的产量水平下,开花前硫素吸收量占总吸收量的百分比平均为57.53%,花后对硫的吸收较强;高油1号、长单26、掖单13每公顷吸硫量分别为：32.46kg、34.94kg,34.20kg。施硫能增加穗粒数和粒重（高油玉米粒重增加不显著）,并显著提高其产量,施硫22.5kg/hm^2（S1）能使籽粒含油率和蛋白质含量分别比对照提高9.05%和6.88%,蛋白质中清蛋白、球蛋白和谷蛋白含量提高,品质改善;施硫量增至90kg/hm^2(S2)时,籽粒含油率和蛋白质含量仍有提高,但蛋白质中醇溶蛋白含量增加,蛋白质品质降低。     

Production of a white wine and a protein-rich soy flour by yeast fermentation of soybean slurry,soybean milk and the whey from tofu production

A dry white wine with an alcoholic content of 10 to 14% v/v was produced by yeast fermentation of slurried ground soybeans, soybean milk and whey from tofu production. Wines from whey and soybean milk were judged by a 20 member taste panel to be acceptable and comparable to a commercial chablis control. Chemical analysis indicated that the high fat and protein contents of soybeans do not cause a problem in the production of wines from soybeans as the lipids and proteins are precipitated by the acid and alcohol formed during the fermentation. The less recovered following fermentation were dehydrated and ground to a flour having an enriched protein content due to the yeasts and an improved flavor resulting from the yeast fermentation.     

Determination of bioactive compounds in fermented soybean products using GC/MS and further investigation of correlation of their bioactivities

The active ingredients and bioactivities (anti-oxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-proliferative and estrogenic activities) of soybean and soybean products (Cheonggukjang, Meju, Makjang, Doenjang and soy sauce) produced by different fermentation processes were compared. There were high correlations between active ingredients and bioactivities. Free phenolic acids extracted from soybean products were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Overall, the components and activities in fermented soybean products were different than those in soybeans. Total phenolic content (TPC), protein content (PC) and anti-oxidant activity increased as fermentation time increased. TPC and PC showed strong negative correlations with anti-oxidant activity. Doenjang and soy sauce, two long-term fermented products, showed lower total flavonoid content (TFC) and estrogenic activities than short-term fermented soybean products. This might be explained by the decomposition and hydrolysis of flavonoids due to the long fermentation time and high temperature. Strong anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines, which was highly correlated with TFC, was found in Meju and Cheonggukjang. Soybean and all fermented products except Meju exhibited effective tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Fermented products showed stronger estrogenic activity than soybeans, which was highly correlated with syringic acid.     

Worm wounding increases levels of pollen-related food allergens in soybean (Glycine max)

The levels of food allergens in worm-wounded or non-wounded green soybeans (edamame) and mature soybeans were investigated by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using allergen-specific antibodies. Non-wounded and worm-wounded soybeans showed similar total protein profiles after Coomassie brilliant blue staining, but some protein bands were observed to have been changed by worm wounding. Immunoblotting with specific antibodies for major soybean allergens (Gly m 5, Gly m 6, Gly m Bd 30 K, and Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor) revealed that protein band profiles and intensities were not significantly changed by worm wounding. In contrast, levels of the pollen-related soybean allergens Gly m 4 and Gly m 3 were strongly increased by worm wounding in both green and mature soybeans, as detected by immunoblotting and ELISA. These results suggested that the pollen-related food allergen risk (i.e., oral allergy syndrome; OAS) from soybeans might be enhanced by worm wounding of soybeans.