Whole-genome sequencing and re-sequencing of wild soybeans and cultivated soybeans provide important polymorphic markers for soybean genetic research and molecular breeding, while supplementing soybean gene sets, providing a large number of valuable data for further studies on soybean genomes.

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The “Soybean Home” project, which is a joint collaboration by BGI, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, provides a valuable resource for the genetic research of soybeans worldwide, as well as for new scientific discoveries in the protection of soybean germplasm resources and molecular breeding. The study carried out genome-wide resequencing of wild soybeans and cultivated soybeans, and for the first time, large-scale genetic polymorphism analysis of wild soybean and cultivated soybean genomes.

Studies have shown that wild soybeans have a higher level of genetic diversity than cultivated soybeans, suggesting that human selection has a large impact on the genetic diversity of cultivated soybeans, leading to narrow biodiversity and a negative impact on sustainable plantation. The analysis of wild soybeans shows that with the reduction of the habitat of wild soybeans, the effective population of wild soybeans is decreasing, reflecting the importance and urgency of the protection and preservation of wild germplasm resources.

Related publication:

Hon-Ming Lam,Xun Xu,Xin Liu, et al. Resequencing of 31 wild and cultivated soybean genomes identifies patterns of genetic diversity and selection. Nat Genet. 2010 Dec; 42:1053-61. Epub 2010 Nov 14.

Soybean genome resequencing