Core Insights - The article discusses the domestication, global dissemination, and improvement trajectories of soybean, highlighting its significance as a major source of protein and oil for human consumption and animal feed [3][4][7]. Group 1: Research Findings - The research utilized genomic information from 8,105 soybean accessions, covering wild types, local varieties, and modern cultivated varieties, to conduct a systematic comparative genomic analysis [4][7]. - Key genes related to soybean adaptability and improvement were identified, providing insights that could guide future breeding efforts and sustainable agricultural development [7][8]. - The study revealed that black soybean serves as a crucial intermediate type in the domestication process, with two independent domestication centers identified in China: the Huang-Huai-Hai region and the Northwest region [7][9]. Group 2: Implications for Breeding - The research highlights the temporal changes in breeding focus for soybean in China, shifting from high-protein varieties in the early years to an emphasis on high yield, high oil content, and stress resistance in recent years [8][9]. - An online database was established, including a high-density soybean genome variation map and quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) library, to facilitate global research collaboration [8][9]. Group 3: Institutional Background - The Yanzhou Bay National Laboratory, established in September 2022, focuses on major scientific and technological issues related to national food security and seed industry innovation [11].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of soybean breeding in ensuring China's food security and highlights the efforts of experts like Hu Xiping in developing high-yield, quality soybean varieties to reduce reliance on imports and enhance self-sufficiency in soybean production [1][3]. Group 1: Soybean Breeding and Food Security - Soybeans are crucial for human protein and oil supply, yet China's self-sufficiency rate is low, leading to high import dependence, which poses a risk to food security [1][3]. - Hu Xiping has dedicated 30 years to soybean breeding, resulting in the development of 68 high-yield and resilient soybean varieties, which have been promoted over 1.9 million hectares, significantly contributing to China's soybean self-sufficiency [1][3]. Group 2: Breeding Process and Challenges - The breeding process is labor-intensive and requires perseverance, with Hu Xiping traveling to 48 experimental sites annually to assess soybean varieties' adaptability across different ecological zones [2][3]. - The critical period for soybean breeding occurs in July, where manual pollination is performed under challenging conditions, highlighting the meticulous nature of the work [2][3]. Group 3: Technological Advancements and Future Goals - Hu Xiping's team has expanded from 6 to over 30 members, addressing production challenges in cold regions and enhancing soybean yield through collaboration with 18 research institutions and universities [3][4]. - Future goals include not only increasing soybean yield and quality but also improving economic benefits for farmers and innovating high-nutrition soybean varieties to meet public health demands [4].