2 - Signaling cross talk between biotic and abiotic stress responses in soybean

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic stresses take a heavy toll on crop productivity in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To deal with this problem, considerable efforts have been made to understand the molecular mechanism underlying stress perception and tolerance in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent advances have highlighted several candidate genes that are involved in tolerance to more than one type of stress and, therefore, affect the outcome of the stress response. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge about the key transcription factors and signaling components known to regulate stress cross talk in soybean. In total, twenty genes have been demonstrated to confer tolerance to multiple stresses using transgenic approaches. However, to date, only three genes including GmERF3, GmERF057, and GmCAM4 are known to confer tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Further, in addition to the key genes, the potential of microRNAs and mycorrhiza in engineering broad spectrum stress-tolerant soybean varieties has been discussed.