A molecular designed breeding system for drought resistance and novel variety development in Soybean introduced in Elite Forum 2026 (Session 3)

On March 28, 2026, the third session of the 2026 Elite Forum, part of the 86th-anniversary lecture series of NCU School of Life Sciences, was held in Room A429 of the Science and Life Sciences Building at the Qianhu Campus. Moderated by Professor Dong Wang, Deputy Dean of the School of Life Sciences, the forum convened faculty members specializing in relevant fields alongside undergraduate and graduate student representatives. The keynote speaker was Dr. Zhenyu Wang, a Research Fellow at Institute of Nanfan and seed Industry, Guangdong Academy of Sciences. Dr Wang delivered an academic report titled "Construction of a Molecular Designed Breeding System for Drought Resistance in Soybean and the Development of New Varieties."

Dr. Wang has long been dedicated to soybean genetic improvement and molecular breeding, accumulating substantial achievements in drought-resistant germplasm innovation and the development of breeding technical systems. Centering his report on the core objective of "securing yield under arid conditions," he systematically elucidated the strategic background and challenges associated with enhancing soybean production capacity in China. He noted that while the state has consecutively issued policies to advance the soybean capacity enhancement project and consolidate gains from expanded cultivation, breakthroughs in genetic improvement technologies for drought resistance have become a critical strategic task. This is particularly vital for establishing an autonomous and controllable food security system amidst climate change-induced extreme droughts. Such advancements are especially significant for the selection and promotion of drought-resistant varieties suited to typical arable land in southern China, such as red soils characterized by drought, acidity, low fertility, and compaction.

Dr. Wang highlighted his team's progress in molecular designed breeding for soybean drought resistance. First, the team identified key genes, including GmF3Hs, discovering that their metabolic products significantly enhance soybean drought tolerance. Second, by integrating molecular biology with bioinformatics, they revealed the molecular mechanism by which GmPRR3b mediates the soybean response to drought stress. Building upon these findings, the team systematically constructed a molecular designed breeding technical system for soybean drought resistance. This advancement facilitates the transition from traditional empirical methods to precise and efficient molecular designed breeding, significantly shortening the breeding cycle and providing robust support for new drought-resistant varieties breeding.

Dr. Wang emphasized that integrating key drought-resistance genes with a molecular designed breeding system not only offers a novel pathway for the genetic improvement of soybean drought resistance but also lays the technological and material foundation for achieving the strategic goal of "securing yield under arid conditions." This approach holds significant theoretical value and application prospects. Furthermore, considering national policy orientations and the specific characteristics of arable land in southern China, he outlined future directions for the breeding and promotion of new drought-resistant soybean varieties.

Throughout the report, Dr. Wang's accessible language and in-depth analysis aroused keen interest among the attending faculty and students. During the interactive session, participants actively raised questions concerning the functional verification of drought-resistance genes, the workflow of breeding with molecular design, and the adaptability of varieties in southern red soil regions. Dr. Wang provided detailed responses to each inquiry, fostering a lively discussion and a rich academic atmosphere.