Approaches for the amelioration of adverse effects of drought stress on soybean plants: from physiological responses to agronomical, molecular, and cutting-edge technologies

Abstract

Background: Water insufficiency is a major abiotic stressor that significantly reduces crop yields, posing a serious threat to global food security. Soybean, a key legume and one the the top five global crops, serves as a primary source of protein, minerals, and oil. Water deficit has profound impacts on soybean's growth, physiology, and ultimately its yield. Scope: Improving soybean productivity under drought stress is crucial to addressing food security challenges. Advanced breeding tools that leverage soybean physiological responses to water scarcity are essential for identifying and transferring drought-tolerance genes. Further research into the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of soybean to drought stress will enable breeders to enhance drought resilience effectively. Conclusion: This review comprehensively details the morphological and physiological responses of soybean to drought stress and outlines various agronomical, molecular, and cutting-edge technological approaches to enhance drought tolerance. By synthesizing current research, this work identifies key strategies and tools that breeders can use to develop drought-resilient soybean cultivars, contributing to improved productivity under water-limited conditions.