Mia Cunicelli1, Bode A Olukolu2, Carl Sams3, Liesel Schneider4, Dennis West3, Vincent Pantalone3. 1. USDA-ARS, 3127 Ligon St., Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA. mia.cunicelli@gmail.com. 2. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, 352 Plant Biotechnology Bldg. 2505 EJ Chapman Dr., Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA. 3. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 112 Plant Biotechnology Bldg. 2505 EJ Chapman Dr., Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA. 4. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Tennessee, 232 Brehm Animal Science Bldg. 2506 River Dr., Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Molecular markers have played and will continue to play a major role in the genetic characterization and improvement of soybeans. They have helped identify major loci for tolerance to abiotic stressors, disease resistance, herbicide resistance, soybean seed quality traits, and yield. However, most yield quantitative trait loci (QTL) are specific to a certain population, and the genetic variation found in the specific bi-parental population is not always shared in other populations. A major objective in soybean breeding is to develop high yielding cultivars. Unfortunately, soybean seed yield, as well as protein and oil content, are complex quantitative traits to characterize from the phenotypic and genotypic perspectives. The objectives of this study are to detect soybean genomic regions that increase protein content, while maintaining oil content and seed yield and to successfully identify soybean QTL associated with these seed quality traits. METHODS AND RESULTS: To achieve these objectives, data from the 138 recombinant inbred lines grown in six environments were used to perform QTL detection analyses in search of significant genomic regions affecting soybean seed protein, oil, and yield. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 21 QTL were successfully identified for yield, protein, oil, methionine, threonine, lodging, maturity, and meal. Knowledge of their locations and flanking markers will aid in marker assisted selection for plant breeders. This will lead to a more valuable soybean for farmers, processors, and animal nutritionists.
BACKGROUND: Molecular markers have played and will continue to play a major role in the genetic characterization and improvement of soybeans. They have helped identify major loci for tolerance to abiotic stressors, disease resistance, herbicide resistance, soybean seed quality traits, and yield. However, most yield quantitative trait loci (QTL) are specific to a certain population, and the genetic variation found in the specific bi-parental population is not always shared in other populations. A major objective in soybean breeding is to develop high yielding cultivars. Unfortunately, soybean seed yield, as well as protein and oil content, are complex quantitative traits to characterize from the phenotypic and genotypic perspectives. The objectives of this study are to detect soybean genomic regions that increase protein content, while maintaining oil content and seed yield and to successfully identify soybean QTL associated with these seed quality traits. METHODS AND RESULTS: To achieve these objectives, data from the 138 recombinant inbred lines grown in six environments were used to perform QTL detection analyses in search of significant genomic regions affecting soybean seed protein, oil, and yield. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 21 QTL were successfully identified for yield, protein, oil, methionine, threonine, lodging, maturity, and meal. Knowledge of their locations and flanking markers will aid in marker assisted selection for plant breeders. This will lead to a more valuable soybean for farmers, processors, and animal nutritionists.
Authors: David L Hyten; Steven B Cannon; Qijian Song; Nathan Weeks; Edward W Fickus; Randy C Shoemaker; James E Specht; Andrew D Farmer; Gregory D May; Perry B Cregan Journal: BMC Genomics Date: 2010-01-15 Impact factor: 3.969