Research progress on the functional study of host resistance-related genes against Heterodera glycines

Abstract Soybean ( Glycine max L.), a crucial crop that provides essential nutrition, is experiencing increasing demand to meet protein and oil requirements. However, the menace of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) disease, caused by Heterodera glycines , poses a substantial threat globally, resulting in significant annual economic losses. While cultivating resistant varieties is an eco-friendly approach to control SCN, the excessive use of a single variety triggers ongoing evolution of SCN races, jeopardizing the soybean industry's stability. Leveraging advanced technologies, research on soybean SCN resistance mechanisms has progressed significantly across genetics, transcriptomics, and protein functions. This review consolidates insights into major resistance loci ( rhg1 and Rhg4 ), elucidating their connections with vesicle transport and plant hormone signaling pathways. It also discusses the role of key functional proteins in soybean resistance and addresses potential research issues. This study explores superior soybean resistance genes, laying a foundation for creating new SCN-resistant germplasms, thereby ensuring the sustainable growth of the global soybean industry.