diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 586ef97a95..cb2c06d1a9 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -48,3 +48,13 @@ updates:
     labels:
       - dependencies
 
+  - package-ecosystem: gomod
+    directory: "/"
+    schedule:
+      interval: daily
+    target-branch: "release/v5.1.x"
+    # Only allow automated security-related dependency updates on release branches.
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 0
+    labels:
+      - dependencies
+
diff --git a/.mergify.yml b/.mergify.yml
index 18697f0bf4..6344fe199a 100644
--- a/.mergify.yml
+++ b/.mergify.yml
@@ -34,3 +34,11 @@ pull_request_rules:
       backport:
         branches:
           - release/v5.x
+  - name: Backport patches to the release/v5.1.x branch
+    conditions:
+      - base=main
+      - label=A:backport/v5.1.x
+    actions:
+      backport:
+        branches:
+          - release/v5.1.x