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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168754
Title: MOLECULAR GENETICS OF LOW LINOLENIC ACID SOYBEANS

Author
item Bilyeu, Kristin
item Beuselinck, Paul

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2004
Publication Date: 6/7/2004
Citation: Bilyeu, K.D., Beuselinck, P.R. 2004. Molecular genetics of low linolenic acid soybeans [abstract]. 5th European Conference on Grain Legumes and 2nd International Conference of Legume Genomics and Genetics.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: More soybeans are produced than any other legume crop in the world. Soybeans have value from their high protein meal and abundant oil. Typically, soybean oil consists of undesirably high amounts of the oxidatively-unstable linolenic acid component of the total fatty acids. Breeding for low linolenic acid soybeans is possible with mutagenized parent lines, but it is complicated by the complex nature of the trait. The objective of this research was to develop an understanding of the molecular genetics controlling soybean seed linolenic acid levels. Using a candidate gene approach based on the Arabidopsis thaliana microsomal omega-3 fatty acid desaturase sequence (FAD3), we identified three soybean FAD3 homologues. In the low linolenic mutant soybean lines, deleterious mutations were identified in the homologous genes. Molecular markers were devised to distinguish mutant alleles. We are building a model to describe the contribution of each of the three soybean FAD3 genes to the seed linolenic acid levels so soybean breeders can determine the best combination of mutant alleles to generate desired fatty acid profiles.