We explored the genetic basis of SNF-related traits through GWAS and identified 40 candidate genes. This study provides fundamental insights into SNF-related traits and will accelerate efforts for SNF breeding. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) increases sustainability by supplying biological nitrogen for crops to enhance yields without damaging the ecosystem. A better understanding of this complex biological process is critical for addressing the triple challenges of food security, environmental degradation, and climate change. Soybean plants, the most important legume worldwide, can form a mutualistic interaction with specialized soil bacteria, bradyrhizobia, to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Here we report a comprehensive genome-wide association study of 11 SNF-related traits using 79K GBS-derived SNPs in 297 African soybeans. We identified 25 QTL regions encompassing 40 putative candidate genes for SNF-related traits including 20 genes with no prior known role in SNF. A line with a large deletion (164 kb), encompassing a QTL region containing a strong candidate gene (CASTOR), exhibited a marked decrease in SNF. This study performed on African soybean lines provides fundamental insights into SNF-related traits and yielded a rich catalog of candidate genes for SNF-related traits that might accelerate future efforts aimed at sustainable agriculture.

中文翻译：

---

全基因组关联分析揭示了非洲大豆共生固氮下生物量积累的遗传基础。


我们通过 GWAS 探索了 SNF 相关性状的遗传基础，并鉴定了 40 个候选基因。这项研究提供了对 SNF 相关性状的基本见解，并将加速 SNF 育种的努力。共生固氮 (SNF) 通过为作物提供生物氮来提高可持续性，从而在不破坏生态系统的情况下提高产量。更好地了解这一复杂的生物过程对于应对粮食安全、环境退化和气候变化的三重挑战至关重要。大豆植物是世界上最重要的豆科植物，可以与特殊的土壤细菌缓生根瘤菌形成互利相互作用，以固定大气中的氮。在此，我们报告了一项全面的全基因组关联研究，该研究使用 297 种非洲大豆中的 79K GBS 衍生的 SNP，对 11 个 SNF 相关性状进行了研究。我们鉴定了 25 个 QTL 区域，涵盖 40 个 SNF 相关性状的推定候选基因，其中包括 20 个先前在 SNF 中没有已知作用的基因。具有大缺失（164 kb）的品系，包含含有强候选基因（CASTOR）的 QTL 区域，表现出 SNF 显着下降。这项针对非洲大豆品系进行的研究提供了对 SNF 相关性状的基本见解，并产生了丰富的 SNF 相关性状候选基因目录，可能会加速未来可持续农业的努力。