Abstract: Mutation induced by irradiation is an effective method for both creating germplasm resources and developing new varieties in soybean.In this paper, we briefly elaborated basic principle of irradiation-induced mutation breeding and the commonly used mutagenic agents.We summarized the main biological effects of soybean radiation mutation breeding at phenotypic level, physiological level and molecular level.Technical methods in identifying and screening target mutants in mutated offsprings and research progress of main type mutants in soybean by irradiation-induced mutation were overviewed.Problems to be solved in soybean mutation breeding were also discussed.We highlighted several issues that require further investigation with aims in understanding the mechanisms of irradiation-induced mutation and promoting its extensive application in soybean breeding.