Integrated physiological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics offer novel insights into the mechanisms of antimony resistance in Glycine max L

Antimony (Sb), a toxic metalloid with significant phytotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity, threatens agricultural safety due to its widespread use. Soybean ( Glycine max L.), a globally important source of edible oil and protein, has been studied for heavy metal resistance, yet its specific responses to Sb stress remain unclear. Using integrated phenotypic, physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses of Sb(III)-stressed soybean, we observed dose-dependent phytotoxicity, including leaf wilting, root damage, and biomass reduction. Despite these symptoms, soybean exhibited strong Sb tolerance, accumulation, and translocation capacity. Multi-omics analysis revealed dose-dependent coordinated upregulation of detoxification genes (e.g., ABC transporters , CYPs , and HSP26-A ) and identified three key metabolic pathways contributing to Sb tolerance: (1) flavonoid biosynthesis, (2) alanine, aspartate, glutamate metabolism, and (3) isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis. Together, these components may constitute a coherent molecular defense network against Sb toxicity. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of Sb tolerance in soybean and support the development of resistant cultivars for cultivation in contaminated areas.