The invention relates to the field of
plant genetic engineering, in particular to novel application of a soybean ACR
gene family member GmACR39 in improving
saline-alkaline tolerance of plants. The invention provides application of a separated
gene in preparation of a product for improving
saline-alkaline tolerance of plants, and the
gene encodes a
nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or encodes a
protein which has at least 80% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 and has a function of improving
saline-alkaline tolerance of plants. The expression of the gene is up-regulated under saline-alkaline stress, and the saline-alkaline tolerance of a transgenic
plant can be remarkably improved by over-expression of the gene. The invention also provides an
expression vector containing the gene, an sgRNA molecule targeting a
promoter of the gene, a
CRISPR activation
system, and related reagents, kits, a method for cultivating saline-alkaline tolerant plants and detection means. The invention provides a new gene resource and a
molecular breeding tool for cultivating new varieties of saline-alkaline tolerant crops.