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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Plant Science

Shoot-branching number control: insight for soybean architecture breeding

  • Meng Li1,2
  • Xiao Chen2
  • Yawar Habib3
  • Javaid Akhter Bhat1,2
  • Elena Potokina3
  • Xianzhong Feng1,2,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Sanjiang Lab, Jilin Agricultural University
  2. 2Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  3. 3Center for Bio and Medical Technologies, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
  4. 4College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Abstract

Shoot branching in plants (including tillering in graminaceous crops) is a key agronomic trait affecting plant architecture, resource allocation, and final yield. Branching is a complex developmental process modulated by genetic networks regulating axillary meristem (AM) initiation and subsequent bud activation. This review summarizes the genetic regulatory networks identified in model plants, specifically Arabidopsis thaliana (a dicot) and Oryza sativa (a monocot). Building on this cross-species theoretical framework, we focus on soybean ( Glycine max ), a major economic crop, and provide a comprehensive analysis of recent progress in the functional characterization of branch number specific regulators and quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Given the bottlenecks in soybean architecture improvement resulting from its complex and highly redundant genome, recalcitrance to genetic transformation, and high environmental sensitivity, we discuss potential strategies based on multidisciplinary approaches and emerging technologies. This review aims to provide a new insight for shaping the ideal plant architecture in soybean through molecular design breeding.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026shootbranching,
  title = {{Shoot-branching number control: insight for soybean architecture breeding}},
  author = {Meng Li and Xiao Chen and Yawar Habib and Javaid Akhter Bhat and Elena Potokina and Xianzhong Feng},
  journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1987498},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1987498/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Shoot-branching number control: insight for soybean architecture breeding
AU  - Meng Li
AU  - Xiao Chen
AU  - Yawar Habib
AU  - Javaid Akhter Bhat
AU  - Elena Potokina
AU  - Xianzhong Feng
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/23
JO  - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO  - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1987498
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1987498/full
AB  - Shoot branching in plants (including tillering in graminaceous crops) is a key agronomic trait affecting plant architecture, resource allocation, and final yield. Branching is a complex developmental process modulated by genetic networks regulating axillary meristem (AM) initiation and subsequent bud activation. This review summarizes the genetic regulatory networks identified in model plants, specifically Arabidopsis thaliana (a dicot) and Oryza sativa (a monocot). Building on this cross-species theoretical framework, we focus on soybean ( Glycine max ), a major economic crop, and provide a comprehensive analysis of recent progress in the functional characterization of branch number specific regulators and quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Given the bottlenecks in soybean architecture improvement resulting from its complex and highly redundant genome, recalcitrance to genetic transformation, and high environmental sensitivity, we discuss potential strategies based on multidisciplinary approaches and emerging technologies. This review aims to provide a new insight for shaping the ideal plant architecture in soybean through molecular design breeding.
SN  - 1664-462X
ER  -