Next-generation sequencing in soybean breeding and genetic research

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most important grain legume crops whose production has been growing every year and by 2024 reached ca. 7 million tons. The objective of this review was to summarize the latest achievements in soybean breeding, including the use of high-throughput sequencing methods and genomic technologies. Soybean is one of the most studied plants. The studies of recent years showed the advantage of approaches based on the use of molecular genetic markers in breeding. The first version of the soybean genome sequence, the G. max genome “Williams 82”, was presented in 2010, and this event significantly accelerated the study and development of genetic research on the crop. The data obtained made it possible to develop resources aimed at both studying the functional organization of soybean genes and breeding new improved cultivars. The review summarizes the results of large-scale soybean sequencing projects, including pan-genome works. Methods used for high-resolution genetic mapping, such as the SNP array analysis and the GBS (genotyping-by-sequencing) technique, are described. Information is provided on soybean genes associated with valuable agronomic and breeding-oriented traits whose identification made it possible to single them out as targets for editing.

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