M. A. R. Mian

RFLP loci associated with soybean seed protein and oil content across populations and locations

Molecular markers provide the opportunity to identify marker-quantitative trait locus (QTL) associations in different environments and populations. Two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] populations, ‘Young’ x PI 416 937 and PI 97100 x ‘Coker 237’, were evaluated with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers to identify additional QTLs related to seed protein and oil. For the Young x PI 416937 population, 120 F4-derived lines were secored for segregation at 155 RFLP loci. The F4-derived lines and two parents were grown at Plains, G.a., and Windblow and Plymouth, N.C. in 1994, and evaluated for seed protein and oil. For the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population, 111 F2-derived lines were evaluated for segregation at 153 RFLP loci. Phenotypic data for seed protein and oil were obtained in two different locations (Athens, G.a., and Blackville, S.C.) in 1994. Based on single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the Young x PI 416937 population, five of seven independent markers associated with seed protein, and all four independent markers associated with seed oil in the combined analysis over locations were detected at all three locations. For the PI 97 100 x Coker 237 population, both single-factor ANOVA and interval mapping were used to detect QTLs. Using single-factor ANOVA, three of four independent markers for seed protein and two of three independent markers for seed oil were detected at both locations. In both populations, singlefactor ANOVA, revealed the consistency of QTLs across locations, which might be due to the high heritability and the relatively few QTLs with large effects conditioning these traits. However, interval mapping of the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population indicated that QTLs identified at Athens for seed protein and oil were different from those at Blackville. This might result from the power of QTL mapping being dependent on the level of saturation of the genetic map. Increased seed protein was associated with decreased seed oil in the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population (r = −0.61). There were various common markers (P⩽0.05) on linkage groups (LG) E, G,H,K, and UNK2 identified for both seed protein and oil. One QTL on LG E was associated with seed protein in both populations. The other QTLs for protein and oil were population specific.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for plant height, lodging, and maturity in a soybean population segregating for growth habit

The use of molecular markers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) has the potential to enhance the efficiency of trait selection in plant breeding. The purpose of the present study was to identify additional QTLs for plant height, lodging, and maturity in a soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., population segregating for growth habit. In this study, 153 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and one morphological marker (Dt1) were used to identify QTLs associated with plant height, lodging, and maturity in 111 F2-derived lines from a cross of PI 97100 and ‘Coker 237’. The F2-derived lines and two parents were grown at Athens, Ga., and Blackville, S.C., in 1994 and evaluated for phenotypic traits. The genetic linkage map of these 143 loci covered about 1600 cM and converged into 23 linkage groups. Eleven markers remained unlinked. Using interval-mapping analysis for linked markers and single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), loci were tested for association with phenotypic data taken at each location as well as mean values over the two locations. In the combined analysis over locations, the major locus associated with plant height was identified as Dt1 on linkage group (LG) L. The Dt1 locus was also associated with lodging. This locus explained 67.7% of the total variation for plant height, and 56.4% for lodging. In addition, two QTLs for plant height (K007 on LG H and A516b on LG N) and one QTL for lodging (cr517 on LG J) were identified. For maturity, two independent QTLs were identified in intervals between R051 and N100, and between B032 and CpTI, on LG K. These QTLs explained 31.2% and 26.2% of the total variation for maturity, respectively. The same QTLs were identified for all traits at each location. This consistency of QTLs may be related to a few QTLs with large effects conditioning plant height, lodging, and maturity in this population.

Molecular markers associated with seed weight in two soybean populations

Seed weight (SW) is a component of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., seed yield, as well as an important trait for food-type soybeans. Two soybean populations, 120 F4-derived lines of ‘Young’xPI416937 (Pop1) and 111 F2-derived lines of PI97100x‘Coker 237’ (Pop2), were mapped with RFLP makers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conditioning SW across environments and populations. The genetic map of Pop1 consisted of 155 loci covering 973 cM, whereas Pop2 involved 153 loci and covered 1600 cM of map distance. For Pop1, the phenotypic data were collected from Plains, GA., Windblow, N.C., and Plymouth, N.C., in 1994. For Pop2, data were collected from Athens, GA., in 1994 and 1995, and Blackville, S.C., in 1995. Based on single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), seven and nine independent loci were associated with SW in Pop1 and Pop2, respectively. Together the loci explained 73% of the variability in SW in Pop1 and 74% in Pop2. Transgressive segregation occurred among the progeny in both populations. The marker loci associated with SW were highly consistent across environments and years. Two QTLs on linkage group (LG) F and K were located at similar genomic regions in both populations. The high consistency of QTLs across environments indicates that effective marker-assisted selection is feasible for soybean SW.

QTLs conditioning early growth in a soybean population segregating for growth habit

Abstract There are both economic and environmental reasons for reducing the use of herbicides for weed control in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields. Optimizing crop competitiveness can reduce reliance on chemical weed control. Fast and vigorous early growth and rapid canopy development can be effective in suppressing weed infestation of crop plants. The purposes of this study were to identify and molecularly map the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conditioning soybean plant height and canopy width during the early vegetative stages of soybean growth. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) linkage map was created using 142 markers and 116 F2-derived lines from a cross of ‘S100’בTokyo’. The parents and the 116 F2-derived lines were evaluated in the greenhouse and in the field at Athens, Ga., in 1996 and 1997. Combined over environments, Tokyo averaged 41 and 17% taller plants than S100 at the V7 and V10 stages of development. Transgressive segregation was observed among the progeny at both stages. Based on single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), three and four independent RFLP loci were associated with plant height at the V7 and V10 stages, respectively. All three loci detected [on linkage groups (LGs) C2 and F, and unlinked] at the V7 stage were also detected at the V10 stage along with one additional independent locus on LG E. The Tokyo allele contributed to increased plant height at all loci except at the unlinked locus. Three QTLs (on LGs C2, E, and F) were consistent across environments, three (on LGs C2 and F, and unlinked) were consistent across stages of plant development, and two (on LGs C2 and F) were consistent both across environments and stages of plant development. Within each stage of development, there was no interaction among the independent loci, and the respective loci together explained most of the variation in the traits. Three independent RFLP loci were associated with canopy width at the V10 stage, of which one was unique to the trait, while the remaining loci (on LGs C2 and F) were in common with the independent loci for plant height. Canopy width had a strong correlation (r=0.87) with plant height at the V10 stage. However, mature plant height, lodging, or seed weight had no phenotypic or QTL association with early plant height or canopy width.

Performance of frogeye leaf spot-resistant and -susceptible near-isolines of soybean

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS) caused by Cercospora sojina Hara is a disease of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) that causes significant seed yield losses in warm, humid environments of southeastern United States. The Rcs3 gene in soybean has been reported to condition resistance to all known races of C. sojina. The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of Rcs3 in limiting seed yield loss due to FLS and to compare the seed yield of the resistant and susceptible near-isolines (NILs) in the absence of significant FLS disease. Four pairs of NILs-Colquitt/Colquitt-Rcs3, Gordon/Gordon-Rcs3, Thomas/Thomas-Rcs3, and Wright/Wright-Rcs 3-were evaluated in 23 field experiments in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina during 1992 to 1994. The amount of damage to susceptible soybean caused by FLS was dependent on the specific environment. All four of the Rcs3 NILs were resistant to the prevalent races of FLS in all environments. In the absence of significant FLS disease, each of the Rcs3 NILs was at least equal to the respective susceptible line in its seed yield. In the presence of FLS infestation, the susceptible lines suffered significant seed yield loss (up to 31%) compared to their Rcs3 NILs. The effect of FLS on seed yield was dependent on cumulative disease severity over the growing season. Thus, the area under disease progress curve was more useful than percent of leaf area infected at the end of the growing season (R7 stage of development) in explaining the seed yield loss due to FLS.

RFLP tagging of QTLs conditioning specific leaf weight and leaf size in soybean.

Selection for high specific leaf weight (SLW) in soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] may increase apparent photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area (AP), which in turn may improve seed yield. In general, the SLW and leaf size are negatively correlated in soybean. To maximize total photosynthetic performance, and perhaps the seed yield, of a soybean cultivar, it would be necessary to establish a large leaf area rapidly while maintaining a high SLW. The objective of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conditioning SLW and leaf size in soybean. One hundred and twenty F4-derived lines from a ‘Young’×PI416937 population were evaluated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The genetic map consisted of 155 loci on 33 linkage groups (LGs) covering 973 cM of map distance. The phenotypic data were collected from two different environments – a greenhouse at Athens, Ga. and a field site at Windblow, N.C. The SLW and leaf-size measurements were made on leaves from the 8th and 9th node of soybean plants at the V12 stage of development. Combined over environments, six putative independent RFLP markers were associated with SLW, and four of these loci were consistent across environments. Individually, the six markers each explained between 8 and 18% of the phenotypic variation among lines for SLW. The Young alleles contributed to a greater SLW at four of the six independent marker loci, and transgressive segregation occurred among the progeny for SLW. Three putative independent RFLP markers were associated with leaf size, each explaining between 6 to 11% of the phenotypic variation in the trait, and one of these markers was identified in both environments. There was no correlation between SLW and leaf size in this population. Similarly, none of the six QTLs conditioning SLW were linked to any of the three QTLs for leaf size. In this soybean population, it is possible to select for progeny lines with greater SLW than either parent perhaps without affecting the leaf size. It is feasible to pyramid all of the desirable alleles for greater SLW and large leaf size in a single genetic background.

QTLs associated with chlorimuron ethyl sensitivity in soybean : Effects on seed yield and related traits

Abstract Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., genotypes are known to differ in chlorimuron ethyl sensitivity (CS). Earlier we have reported two putatively independent marker loci linked to two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling CS in a soybean population derived from a cross of PI97100 (sensitive to chlorimuron ethyl) and ‘Coker 237’ (tolerant to chlorimuron ethyl). The objective of the present study was to quantify the association of the two marker loci with seed yield and related traits in this soybean population following application of chlorimuron ethyl. Phenotypic data were collected for 111 F2-derived lines of the cross grown in replicated plots at Athens, G.A., in 1994 and 1995, and at Blackville, S.C., in 1995. The two CS marker loci explained as much as 50% of the genetic variation in seed yield and seed number m-2, but had no association with seed weight, plant height, lodging, seed protein, and seed oil. There were no epistatic interactions between the two marker loci for any of the traits. The marker locus (cr168-1 on USDA linkage group E) linked to the major CS QTL explained between 13 and 23% of the variation in seed yield. The Coker 237 allele at this locus was associated with decreased CS and increased seed yield. The marker locus (Blt015-2 on an unknown linkage group) linked to the minor CS QTL accounted for a maximum of 11% of the variation in seed yield. The Coker 237 allele at this locus was associated with an increase in CS and a decrease in seed yield. The association of the two marker loci with seed number m-2 strongly resembled their association with seed yield. Seed yield had a strong positive correlation (r=0.74 – 0.94) with seed number m-2, and the effect of chlorimuron ethyl on seed yield was due mainly to its effect on seed number m-2 rather than seed weight.