Identification and Analysis of NaHCO3 Stress Responsive Genes in Wild Soybean (Glycine soja) Roots by RNA-seq

Root is the primary tissue in soil encountering alkaline stress, therefore in this research, we investigated the transcriptome profiles in the roots of an alkalinity-tolerant wild soybean variety, N24852, using quartz sand culture medium subjected to higher concentration of NaHCO3 (90 mM), which is more similar to the alkalinity in the field. The aim of this study was to find differentially expressed genes, metabolic pathways, and overall transcriptional regulation of soybean response to early stage of NaHCO3 stress, which would broaden our understanding of the molecular and regulatory mechanisms of plant response to alkaline stress, and to identify candidate genes that could be utilized to improve soybean tolerance to alkalinity in future breeding programs.