Detection of QTL underlying seed quality components in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Authors: AKOND, MASUM - University Of Florida; LIU, SHIMING - Southern Illinois University; YUAN, JIAZHENG - Fayetteville State University; KANTARTZI, STELLA - Southern Illinois University; MEKSEM, KHALID - Southern Illinois University; Bellaloui, Nacer; LIGHTFOOT, DAVID - Southern Illinois University; KASSEM, MY - Fayetteville State University

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2017
Publication Date: 2/14/2018
Citation: Akond, M., Liu, S., Yuan, J., Kantartzi, S.K., Meksem, K., Bellaloui, N., Lightfoot, D.A., Kassem, M.A. 2018. Detection of QTL underlying seed quality components in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 98:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2017-0204.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2017-0204

Interpretive Summary: Improving seed quality, including seed nutritional constituents such as seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids (seed composition) is a major goal of the soybean industry and soybean breeders to meet the nutritional needs for humans and livestock, and compete in the global market. Therefore, controlling the genetics responsible for the seed composition constituents is critical. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) are regions of DNA containing or linked to the genes responsible for a characteristic, in our case, seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids, and these regions are identified using DNA markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Therefore, the objective of this research was to use a soybean population developed from a cross between ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Spencer’ to identify the location of the QTL for seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids content. A map showing the locations of the QTL within the soybean genome was created using 5,376 DNA markers. A total of 13 QTLs were mapped on 4 chromosomes of the soybean genome. A total of three major QTL: one for oil, one for amino acid, and one for palmitic acid have been mapped in this population. The QTLs and associated markers identified in this study will be a useful tool for soybean breeders to develop and select soybean lines with desirable seed composition qualities.

Technical Abstract: Improving seed composition and quality, including protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids content is an important goal of soybean farmers and breeders. Our previous research identified novel QTLs associated with seed isoflavones. The aim of this study was to use the ‘Hamilton’ by ‘Spencer’ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (HxS, n=93) and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids content. The genetic linkage map was created using 5,376 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A total of 13 QTL for the traits studied have mapped on 4 chromosomes (chr) of the soybean genome. Three major QTL have been mapped to a 7–13 cM region on chr6. For example, one major QTL for oil content (qOIL001; LOD=39.47) explained approximately 76% of the total variation in oil content; one major QTL for amino acid ALA (qALA001; LOD=50.24 explained approximately 74% of the total variation in ALA content; and one major QTL for palmitic acid (qPAL001; LOD=2.71) explained approximately 21% of palmitic acid content. The SNP markers closely linked to the QTLs and QTLs identified in this study will be a useful tool for soybean breeders to develop and select soybean lines with higher seed composition qualities, using marker-assisted selection.