Preferential induction of Dt2 gene in the absence of E1 function enhances semi-determinate stem growth in soybean

Suitable plant architecture is key to maximizing crop yield. Stem growth habit is a crucial characteristic of soybean plant architecture. Here, we investigated the combined effect of the Dt2 gene (producing semi-determinate growth habit) and a loss-of-function e1-nl allele of the floral repressor E1. Comparisons among near-isogenic lines with different maturity genotypes indicated that the loss or repression of E1 function enhanced the effect of Dt2 on main stem node numbers. Dt2 expression in s