Hong Kong and Mainland scientists work together to discover salt tolerance genes in wild soybeans

The research team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has collaborated with scientists from the mainland to identify and reproduce salt-tolerant genes in wild soybeans through advanced genetic mapping. This joint effort, spanning three generations of researchers from both sides, is expected to lead to the development of soybean varieties that can thrive in poor, saline soils. These improved crops will not only boost yields of high-quality salt-tolerant soybeans but also support sustainable agriculture in China and around the world. Professor Lin Hanming, director of the Soybean Research Center and a professor at the School of Life Sciences, shared on the 22nd that his team, in collaboration with BGI Institute and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, spent over a decade working on this groundbreaking project. Their efforts included mapping the genome of wild soybeans, identifying key salt-tolerant genes, and conducting extensive functional tests. The findings were recently published in *Nature Communications*, a leading scientific journal. Lin Hanming emphasized that more than 20% of the world’s irrigated land is affected by salinization, and with the global population rising, the need for resilient crops has never been greater. “If we can develop soybeans that adapt to marginal and barren lands, we can significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural growth,” he said. As one of the most important economic crops originating in China, soybean ranks third in global trade. However, China currently imports over 70% of its soybeans, making it the world's largest importer. “This breakthrough can greatly enhance the efficiency of growing salt-tolerant soybeans,” Lin explained. His team is now working with farmers in the mainland to cross wild soybeans with cultivated varieties. Over the next six generations, they aim to develop salt-tolerant soybean strains suitable for China’s saline-alkali lands. In addition, the team is conducting field experiments in the arid regions of the mainland, hoping to replicate drought-resistant genes from wild soybeans to create super soybeans capable of thriving in harsh environments. Lin also shared that he first met Dr. Shao Guihua from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 1998, taking over her unfinished research on soybean salt tolerance. With the open exchange of knowledge between mainland scientists and their counterparts in Hong Kong, the project has made rapid progress. “This is the result of the joint efforts of three generations of scientists from both sides,” Lin said. “We are not seeking patents; our goal is to benefit as many people as possible.”

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