Genomic regions controlling seed weight, water absorption ratio, sprout yield, and storage protein fractions in soybean

Physicochemical traits, such as 100-seed weight (100-SW), water absorption ratio (WAR), sprouting and storage protein fractions of soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merr.) seeds, contribute to the quality of soy products processed from them. In the present investigation, 108 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from LSb1 x NRC7 were genotyped using 105 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers across the genome. These RILs were phenotyped for 100-SW, WAR, sprout yield, hypocotyl length, and glycinin (11S), and beta-conglycinin (7S) subunits of storage protein also. The study revealed common genomic regions governing multiple seed traits, besides the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for individual seed traits. Of the seven QTL identified for 100-SW and 10 for WAR, five QTL were novel for both the traits. All four QTL identified for sprout yield and two QTL for 11S/7S ratio were novel. Five QTL were identified for multiple seed traits. These genomic regions common to different seed traits should be useful for pyramiding desirable traits for 100-SW, WAR, sprout yield, and 11S/7S ratio in the same genetic background for developing soybean varieties suitable for processing food products.