A correlation between host-mediated expression of parasite genes as tandem inverted repeats and abrogation of development of female <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterodera glycines</Emphasis> cyst formation during infection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis>

Host-mediated (hm) expression of parasite genes as tandem inverted repeats was investigated as a means to abrogate the formation of mature Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode) female cysts during its infection of Glycine max (soybean). A Gateway^®-compatible hm plant transformation system was developed specifically for these experiments in G. max. Three steps then were taken to identify H. glycines candidate genes. First, a pool of 150 highly conserved H. glycines homologs of genes having lethal mutant phenotypes or phenocopies from the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans were identified. Second, annotation of those 150 genes on the Affymetrix^® soybean GeneChip^® allowed for the identification of a subset of 131 genes whose expression could be monitored during the parasitic phase of the H. glycines life cycle. Third, a microarray analyses identified a core set of 32 genes with induced expression (>2.0-fold, log base 2) during the parasitic stages of infection. H. glycines homologs of small ribosomal protein 3a and 4 (Hg-rps-3a [accession number CB379877] and Hg-rps-4 [accession number CB278739]), synaptobrevin (Hg-snb-1 [accession number BF014436]) and a spliceosomal SR protein (Hg-spk-1 [accession number BI451523.1]) were tested for functionality in hm expression studies. Effects on H. glycines development were observed 8 days after infection. Experiments demonstrated that 81–93% fewer females developed on transgenic roots containing the genes engineered as tandem inverted repeats. The effect resembles RNA interference. The methodology has been used here as an alternative approach to engineer resistance to H. glycines.     

Wetland and riparian plant communities at risk of invasion by transgenic herbicide-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrostis</Emphasis> spp. in central Oregon

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and redtop (A. gigantea) are introduced turfgrasses that are naturalized throughout the northern U.S. Interest in creeping bentgrass has risen following the 2003 escape of a genetically modified (GM), herbicide-resistant cultivar near Madras, Oregon. The objectives of this study were to characterize the floristic attributes of the plant communities associated with naturalized Agrostis populations in the Madras area, and to identify plant communities at risk of invasion by transgenic Agrostis. Vegetation data collected from 62 stratified random vegetation plots with and without A. stolonifera and A. gigantea identified 11 distinct plant communities. Community composition was strongly correlated with an indirect soil moisture index based on the wetland status of individual species. Results indicate that wetland plant communities are at the highest risk of invasion by transgenic A. stolonifera. Also, inter-specific gene flow to A. gigantea could affect additional habitats and plant communities where A. stolonifera is not found. Both A. stolonifera and A. gigantea were invasive in wetland and riparian settings in the Madras study area, and introducing glyphosate (e.g., Roundup^®, Rodeo^®) herbicide tolerance into these populations would eliminate the primary means of control for these species.     

Acid phosphatase gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">GmHAD1</Emphasis> linked to low phosphorus tolerance in soybean,through fine mapping

Key message

Map-based cloning identified GmHAD1, a gene which encodes a HAD-like acid phosphatase, associated with soybean tolerance to low phosphorus stress.

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in soils is a major limiting factor for crop growth worldwide. Plants may adapt to low phosphorus (LP) conditions via changes to root morphology, including the number, length, orientation, and branching of the principal root classes. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms for LP tolerance in soybean, quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to root morphology responses to LP were identified via hydroponic experiments. In total, we identified 14 major loci associated with these traits in a RIL population. The log-likelihood scores ranged from 2.81 to 7.43, explaining 4.23–13.98% of phenotypic variance. A major locus on chromosome 08, named qP8-2, was co-localized with an important P efficiency QTL (qPE8), containing phosphatase genes GmACP1 and GmACP2. Another major locus on chromosome 10 named qP10-2 explained 4.80–13.98% of the total phenotypic variance in root morphology. The qP10-2 contains GmHAD1, a gene which encodes an acid phosphatase. In the transgenic soybean hairy roots, GmHAD1 overexpression increased P efficiency by 8.4–16.5% relative to the control. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants had higher biomass than wild-type plants across both short- and long-term P reduction. These results suggest that GmHAD1, an acid phosphatase gene, improved the utilization of organic phosphate by soybean and Arabidopsis plants.

     

Internodal elongation under submergence in the Amazonian wild rice species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza glumaepatula</Emphasis>: the growth response is induced by hypoxia but not by ethylene

Phosphate (Pi) plays important roles in plant development and architecture. With the goal of identifying genomic regions that influence tolerance to Pi deficiency (TPDE) in hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.), quantitative trait loci (QTL) were mapped using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that were derived from a cross between tolerant ‘XieqingzaoB’ (XB) and susceptible ‘Zhonghui9308’. Six TPDE-related traits, including the root length, root dry weight, tillers number, shoot dry weight, total plant dry weight and root-to-shoot ratio, were evaluated for QTL analysis during both the tillering and heading stages. A correlation analysis showed that most of the traits were correlated with each other. Twenty-one additive QTL were detected and jointly explained between 10–49% of the trait variance, tending to cluster on chromosomes 4, 6, 10 and 11. Three QTL, qTPDE4 ^XB , qTPDE10 ^XB and qTPDE11.3 ^XB , were validated by the phenotypic evaluation using near isogenic lines (NILs, BC₄F₃) during the seedling stage. qTPDE4 ^XB showed the most stable tolerance against Pi deficiency. These QTL will enrich the genetic resources and accelerate hybrid rice breeding against Pi deficiency.     

A new soybean rust resistance allele from PI 423972 at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rpp4</Emphasis> locus

Phakopsora pachyrhizi is a fungal pathogen and the cause of Asian soybean rust. P. pachyrhizi was first detected in the continental USA in 2004 and has since been a threat to the soybean industry. There are six described loci that harbor resistance to P. pachyrhizi (Rpp) genes. The resistance of PI 423972 was previously shown to be within 5 cM of the Rpp4 locus of PI 459025B, yet had differential reactions when challenged with P. pachyrhizi isolates India 1973 and Taiwan 1972. In this study, the resistance of PI 423972 was mapped to a 187.5 kb interval between the SNP markers GSM0543 and GSM0387 on chromosome 18 (51,397,064 to 51,584,617 bp, Glyma.Wm82.a2) that overlaps the interval for Rpp4 and is designated as Rpp4-b. A unique haplotype is described for PI 423972 that separates it from PI 459025B, 32 North American soybean ancestors, and all described sources of Rpp gene resistance.     

Virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium anisopliae</Emphasis> using soybean oil formulation for control of the cotton stainer bug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dysdercus peruvianus</Emphasis>

The cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is an insect pest that causes heavy losses in cotton plantations. The need to reduce the use of insecticides for control of this pest has increased steadily, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) could be an important biopesticide candidate to control this pest. The effect of M. anisopliae on D. peruvianus nymphs and adults using formulations with soybean oil and Agral^® was evaluated. Formulation using 10% soybean oil added to 10⁸ conidia mL^?1 (grown on used and reused rice) was the most effective for nymph and adult, causing 100% mortality 6 and 7 days after exposure, respectively. The SEM analysis of infected insects showed that M. anisopliae conidia were able to adhere anywhere on the exoskeleton, but were more abundant between the joints. Using the same rice for two batches of growth may be an option for improving commercial conidial production of M. anisopliae and may reduce overall costs. Its effect on D. peruvianus adults opens a new possibility for using this fungus as an alternative to chemical pesticides and the use of M. anisopliae in association with integrate pest management.     

Genome-wide association study for soybean cyst nematode resistance in Chinese elite soybean cultivars

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is a highly recalcitrant endoparasite of soybean roots, causing more yield loss than any other pest. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to SCN (HG type 2.5.7, race 1), a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed. The association panel, consisting of 120 Chinese soybean cultivars, was genotyped with 7189 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). A total of 6204 SNPs with minor allele frequency >0.05 were used to estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD) and population structure. The mean level of LD measured by r ² declined very rapidly to half its maximum value (0.51) at 220 kb. The overall population structure was approximately coincident with geographic origin. The GWAS results identified 13 SNPs in 7 different genomic regions significantly associated with SCN resistance. Of these, three SNPs were localized in previously mapped QTL intervals, including rhg1 and Rhg4. The GWAS results also detected 10 SNPs in 5 different genomic regions associated with SCN resistance. The identified loci explained an average of 95.5% of the phenotypic variance. The proportion of phenotypic variance was due to additive genetic variance of the validated SNPs. The present study identified multiple new loci and refined chromosomal regions of known loci associated with SCN resistance. The loci and trait-associated SNPs identified in this study can be used for developing soybean cultivars with durable resistance against SCN.     

Molecular mapping of the genomic region conferring resistance to soybean stem canker in Hutcheson soybean

Genetic resistance to soybean stem canker, caused by the fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meridionalis (Dpm), is controlled by five major, dominant, nonallelic genes Rdm1 to Rdm5. A genomic region containing the Rdm4 and Rdm5 genes was first described in Hutcheson soybean, where they were found to confer specific resistance to Argentinean physiological races of Dpm. Here, we report the genetic mapping of Rdm4 and Rdm5 loci using two pheno- and genotypically characterized F_2:3 populations derived from Hutcheson cultivar. The mapping populations were screened with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers using bulk segregant analysis, and with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Linkage analysis indicated that the Rdm4 and Rdm5 resistance loci were located in a genomic region collinear with the molecular linkage group (MLG) A2 (chromosome 8) of the soybean genetic map. The linkage group contains two SSR markers, Sat_162 and Satt233, flanking the Rdm4 and Rdm5 loci. These SSR will be useful to increase the efficiency of selection in breeding programs aimed to incorporate Rdm4 and Rdm5 genes into soybean elite germplasm.     

Allelic differentiation at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sg-1</Emphasis> locus for the terminal sugar of the C-22 position of group A saponin in Chinese wild soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine soja</Emphasis> Sieb. &amp; Zucc.)

Group A saponins are thought to be the cause of bitter and astringent tastes in processed foods of soybean (Glycine max), and the elimination of group A saponins is an important breeding objective. The group A saponins include two main Aa and Ab types, controlled by codominant alleles at the Sg-1 locus that is one of several key loci responsible for saponin biosynthesis in the subgenus Glycine soja. However, A0 mutant lacking group A saponin is a useful gene resource for soybean quality breeding. Here, eight Chinese wild soybean A0 accessions were sequenced to reveal the mutational mechanisms, and the results showed that these mutants were caused by at least three kinds of mechanisms involving four allelic variants (sg-1^0-b2, sg-1^0-b3, Sg-1^b-0, and Sg-1^b-01). The sg-1^0-b2 had two nucleotide deletions at positions +?72 and +?73 involving in the 24th and 25th amino acids. The sg-1^0-b3 contained a stop codon (TGA) at the 254th residue. The Sg-1^b-0 and Sg-1^b-01 were two novel A0-type mutants, which likely carried normal structural alleles, and nevertheless did not encode group A saponin due to unknown mutations beyond the normal coding regions. In addition, to reveal the structural features, allelic polymorphism, and mechanisms of the abiogenetic absence of group A (i.e., A0 phenotype), nucleotide sequence analysis was performed for the Sg-1 locus in wild soybean (Glycine soja). The results showed that Sg-1 alleles had a lower conservatism in the coding region; as high as 18 sequences were found in Chinese wild soybeans in addition to the Sg-1^a (Aa) and Sg-1^b (Ab) alleles. Sg-1^a and Sg-1^b alleles were characterized by eight synonymous codons and nine amino acid substitutions. Two evolutionarily transitional allelic sequences (Sg-1^a7 and Sg-1^b2) from Sg-1^a toward Sg-1^b were detected.     

Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci for grain protein concentration in adapted Canadian durum wheat populations

Grain protein concentration (GPC) is one of the most important factors influencing pasta-making quality. Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) cultivars with high GPC produce pasta with increased tolerance to overcooking and greater cooked firmness. However, the large environmental effect on expression of GPC and the negative correlation with grain yield have slowed genetic improvement of this important trait. Understanding the genetics and identification of molecular markers associated with high GPC would aid durum wheat breeders in trait selection at earlier generations. The objectives of this study were to identify and validate molecular markers associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for elevated GPC in durum wheat. A genetic map was constructed using SSR and DArT^® markers in an F₁-derived doubled haploid (DH) population derived from the cross DT695 × Strongfield. The GPC data were collected from replicated trials grown in six Canadian environments from 2002 to 2005. QTL associated with variation for GPC were identified on the group 1, 2, and 7 chromosomes and on 5B and 6B, but only QGpc.usw-B3 on 2B and QGpc.usw-A3 on 7A were expressed consistently in four and six environments, respectively. Positive alleles for GPC at these loci were contributed by the high-GPC parent Strongfield. The QGpc.usw-A3 QTL was validated in a second DH population, and depending on environment, selection for the Strongfield allele at barc108 resulted in +0.4% to +1.0% increase in GPC, with little effect on yield in most environments. Given the consistent expression pattern in multiple populations and environments, barc108 could be useful for marker-assisted selection for high GPC.     

Integration of sudden death syndrome resistance loci in the soybean genome

Key message

Complexity and inconsistencies in resistance mapping publications of soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) result in interpretation difficulty. This review integrates SDS mapping literature and proposes a new nomenclature system for reproducible SDS resistance loci.

Abstract

Soybean resistance to sudden death syndrome (SDS) is composed of foliar resistance to phytotoxins and root resistance to pathogen invasion. There are more than 80 quantitative trait loci (QTL) and dozens of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with soybean resistance to SDS. The validity of these QTL and SNPs is questionable because of the complexity in phenotyping methodologies, the disease synergism between SDS and soybean cyst nematode (SCN), the variability from the interactions between soybean genotypes and environments, and the inconsistencies in the QTL nomenclature. This review organizes SDS mapping results and proposes the Rfv (resistance to Fusarium virguliforme) nomenclature based on supporting criteria described in the text. Among ten reproducible loci receiving our Rfv nomenclature, Rfv18-01 is mostly supported by field studies and it co-localizes to the SCN resistance locus rhg1. The possibility that Rfv18-01 is a pleiotropic resistance locus and the concern about Rfv18-01 being confounded with Rhg1 is discussed. On the other hand, Rfv06-01, Rfv06-02, Rfv09-01, Rfv13-01, and Rfv16-01 were identified both by screening soybean leaves against phytotoxic culture filtrates and by evaluating SDS severity in fields. Future phenotyping using leaf- and root-specific resistance screening methodologies may improve the precision of SDS resistance, and advanced genetic studies may further clarify the interactions among soybean genotypes, F. virguliforme, SCN, and environments. The review provides a summary of the SDS resistance literature and proposes a framework for communicating SDS resistance loci for future research considering molecular interactions and genetic breeding for soybean SDS resistance.

     

Identification of candidate genes of QTLs for seed weight in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> through comparative mapping among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis>species

Background

Map-based cloning of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in polyploidy crop species remains a challenge due to the complexity of their genome structures. QTLs for seed weight in B. napus have been identified, but information on candidate genes for identified QTLs of this important trait is still rare.

Results

In this study, a whole genome genetic linkage map for B. napus was constructed using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that covered a genetic distance of 2,126.4 cM with an average distance of 5.36 cM between markers. A procedure was developed to establish colinearity of SSR loci on B. napus with its two progenitor diploid species B. rapa and B. oleracea through extensive bioinformatics analysis. With the aid of B. rapa and B. oleracea genome sequences, the 421 homologous colinear loci deduced from the SSR loci of B. napus were shown to correspond to 398 homologous loci in Arabidopsis thaliana. Through comparative mapping of Arabidopsis and the three Brassica species, 227 homologous genes for seed size/weight were mapped on the B. napus genetic map, establishing the genetic bases for the important agronomic trait in this amphidiploid species. Furthermore, 12 candidate genes underlying 8 QTLs for seed weight were identified, and a gene-specific marker for BnAP2 was developed through molecular cloning using the seed weight/size gene distribution map in B. napus.

Conclusions

Our study showed that it is feasible to identify candidate genes of QTLs using a SSR-based B. napus genetic map through comparative mapping among Arabidopsis and B. napus and its two progenitor species B. rapa and B. oleracea. Identification of candidate genes for seed weight in amphidiploid B. napus will accelerate the process of isolating the mapped QTLs for this important trait, and this approach may be useful for QTL identification of other traits of agronomic significance.

     

Inheritance of Traits Controlled by Odd Chromosomes Using Data on Transmission of Monosomic Addition S<Superscript>t</Superscript> Chromosome of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elymus Sibiricus</Emphasis> Genome

On the basis of the winter bread wheat cultivar Obryi, two independent disomic addition lines BC₁₂F_∞ with the chromosome of the E. sibiricus S^t genome are created. A practical algorithm for determining the probabilities of transmission of the odd chromosome separately through male and female gametes in selfpollination of hemizygous hybrids from the equation p²–(1 + f₁–f₄) × p + f₁ = 0 is proposed, where p is the probability of the formation of viable gametes with the considered chromosome and f₁ and f₄ are the empirical frequencies of the corresponding homozygotes with and without the trait. The probability of transmission of an alien univalent chromosome through pollen (p_♂) is associated with the frequency of its transmission through the egg cell (p_♀) in backcrosses and in self-pollination (1–f₄) by the equation p_♂ = 1–f₄/(1–p_♀). The calculated empirically dependent estimates of the probabilities of transmission of the added chromosome through the egg cell p_♀ = 18.7% and through pollen p_♂ = 4.3% correspond to the empirical frequencies obtained for backcrosses. The coefficients of the gamete selection V_♀ = 0.748 and V_♂ = 0.172 are calculated, and the expected segregation for the alien trait controlled by a dominant gene located in the added chromosome is determined—with the trait: without the trait is 0.222: 0.778 in F₂; 0.187: 0.813 in equational and 0.043: 0.957 in certational backcrosses.     

Exploiting the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rht</Emphasis> portfolio for hybrid wheat breeding

Key message

The portfolio of available Reduced height loci (Rht-B1, Rht-D1, and Rht24) can be exploited for hybrid wheat breeding to achieve the desired heights in the female and male parents, as well as in the hybrids, without adverse effects on other traits relevant for hybrid seed production.

Abstract

Plant height is an important trait in wheat line breeding, but is of even greater importance in hybrid wheat breeding. Here, the height of the female and male parental lines must be controlled and adjusted relative to each other to maximize hybrid seed production. In addition, the height of the resulting hybrids must be fine-tuned to meet the specific requirements of the farmers in the target regions. Moreover, this must be achieved without adversely impacting traits relevant for hybrid seed production. In this study, we explored Reduced height (Rht) loci effective in elite wheat and exploited their utilization for hybrid wheat breeding. We performed association mapping in a panel of 1705 wheat hybrids and their 225 parental lines, which besides the Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 loci revealed Rht24 as a major QTL for plant height. Furthermore, we found that the Rht-1 loci also reduce anther extrusion and thus cross-pollination ability, whereas Rht24 appeared to have no adverse effect on this trait. Our results suggest different haplotypes of the three Rht loci to be used in the female or male pool of a hybrid breeding program, but also show that in general, plant height is a quantitative trait controlled by numerous small-effect QTL. Consequently, marker-assisted selection for the major Rht loci must be complemented by phenotypic selection to achieve the desired height in the female and male parents as well as in the wheat hybrids.

     

A betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammopiptanthus nanus</Emphasis> enhances tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> to high salt and drought stresses

YUCCA is an important enzyme which catalyzes a key rate-limiting step in the tryptophan-dependent pathway for auxin biosynthesis and implicated in several processes during plant growth and development. Genome wide analyses of YUCCA genes have been performed in Arabidopsis, rice, tomato, and Populus, but have never been characterized in soybean, one of the most important oil crops in the world. In this study, 22 GmYUCCA genes (GmYUCCA1-22) were identified and named based on soybean whole-genome sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of YUCCA proteins from Glycine max, Arabidopsis, Oryza sativa, tomato, and Populus euphratica revealed that GmYUCCA proteins could be divided into four subfamilies. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that GmYUCCA genes have diverse expression patterns in different tissues and under various stress treatments. Compared to the wild type (WT), the transgenic GmYUCCA5 Arabidopsis plants displayed downward curling of the leaf blade margin, evident apical dominance, higher plant height, and shorter length of siliques. Our results provide a comprehensive analysis of the soybean YUCCA gene family and lay a solid foundation for further experiments in order to functionally characterize these gene members during soybean growth and development.     

Effects of grass-specific herbicides on butterflies: an experimental investigation to advance conservation efforts

Encroachment by invasive plants is a leading threat to rare butterflies. Restoration plans increasingly recommend herbicides to control invasive plants within butterfly habitats. Few studies address the effects of these herbicides on at-risk butterflies. The effects of two graminicides (fluazifop-p-butyl and sethoxydim) and a surfactant (Preference^®) were evaluated on Icaricia icarioides blackmorei and Pieris rapae. The effects on butterfly larvae were assessed by mimicking recommended timing and mixture rates of field applications. Differences in survival to adult eclosure, development time, biomass, sex ratio and adult morphology were assessed. Survival of P. rapae was reduced by 32% with sethoxydim and 21% with fluazifop-p-butyl. Wing size and pupal weights of P. rapae were reduced by herbicide treatments. Icaricia icarioides blackmorei experienced a 21% reduction in development time from the date of treatment to eclosure. These results highlight the importance of careful consideration in the use of herbicides in habitats harboring at-risk butterfly populations.     

Identification of the dwarf gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">GmDW1</Emphasis> in soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis> L.) by combining mapping-by-sequencing and linkage analysis

Key message

GmDW1 encodes an ent-kaurene synthase (KS) acting at the early step of the biosynthesis pathway for gibberellins (GAs) and regulates the development of plant height in soybean.

Abstract

Plant height is an important component of plant architecture, and significantly affects crop breeding practices and yield. Here, we report the characterization of an EMS-induced dwarf mutant (dw) of the soybean cultivar Zhongpin 661 (ZDD23893). The dw mutant displayed reduced plant height and shortened internodes, both of which were mainly attributed to the longitudinally decreased cell length. The bioactive GA₁ (gibberellin A₁) and GA₄ (gibberellin A₄) were not detectable in the stem of dw, and the dwarf phenotype could be rescued by treatment with exogenous GA₃. Genetic analysis showed that the dwarf trait of dw was controlled by a recessive nuclear gene. By combining linkage analysis and mapping-by-sequencing, we mapped the GmDW1 gene to an approximately 460-kb region on chromosome (Chr.) 8, containing 36 annotated genes in the reference Willliams 82 genome. Of these genes, we identified two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are present in the encoding regions of Gmdw1 and Glyma.08G165100 in dw, respectively. However, only the SNP mutation (T>A) at nucleotide 1224 in Gmdw1 cosegregated with the dwarf phenotype. GmDW1 encodes an ent-kaurene synthase, and was expressed in various tissues including root, stem, and leaf. Further phenotypic analysis of the allelic variations in soybean accessions strongly indicated that GmDW1 is responsible for the dwarf phenotype in dw. Our results provide important information for improving our understanding of the genetics of soybean plant height and crop breeding.