Tolerance to excess moisture in soybean is enhanced by over-expression of the Glycine max Phytoglobin (GmPgb1)

Excess moisture in the form of waterlogging or full submergence can cause severe conditions of hypoxia or anoxia compromising several physiological and biochemical processes. A decline in photosynthetic rate due to accumulation of ROS and damage of leaf tissue are the main consequences of excess moisture. These effects compromise crop yield and quality, especially in sensitive species, such as soybean (Glycine max.). Phytoglobins (Pgbs) are expressed during hypoxia and through their ability to scavenge nitric oxide participate in several stress-related responses. Soybean plants over-expressing or suppressing the Pgb1 gene GmPgb1 were generated and their ability to cope with waterlogging and full submergence conditions was assessed. Plants over-expressing GmPgb1 exhibited a higher retention of photosynthetic rate during waterlogging and survival rate during submergence relative to wild type plants. The same plants also had lower levels of ROS due to a reduction in expression of Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs (RBOH), components of the NADPH oxidase enzyme, and enhanced antioxidant system characterized by higher expression of catalases (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as elevated expression and activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Plants over-expressing GmPgb1 also exhibited an expression pattern of aquaporins typical of excess moisture resilience. This was in contrast to plants downregulating GmPgb1 which were characterized by the lowest photosynthetic rates, higher ROS signal, and reduced expression and activities of many antioxidant enzymes. Results from these studies suggest that GmPgb1 exercises a protective role during conditions of excess moisture with similar mechanisms operating during waterlogging and submergence.