Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci for Yield and Drought Tolerance Traits in Soybean Using a Recombinant Inbred Line Population

Abstract

To investigate the genetic basis of drought tolerance in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) a recombinant inbred population with 184 F(2:7:11) lines developed from a cross between Kefeng1 (drought tolerant) and Nannong1138-2 (drought sensitive) were tested under water-stressed and well-watered conditions in field and greenhouse trials. Traits measured included leaf wilting coefficient, excised leaf water loss and relative water content as indicators of plant water status and seed yield. A total of 40 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified: 17 for leaf water status traits under drought stress and 23 for seed yield under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions in both field and greenhouse trials. Two seed yield QTLs were detected under both well-watered and drought-stressed conditions in the field on molecular linkage group H and D1b, while two seed yield QTLs on molecular linkage group C2 were found under greenhouse conditions. Several QTLs for traits associated with plant water status were identified in both field and greenhouse trials, including two leaf wilting coefficient QTLs on molecular linkage group A2 and one excised leaf water loss QTL on molecular linkage group H. Phenotypic correlations of traits suggested several QTLs had pleiotropic or location-linked associations. These results will help to elucidate the genetic basis of drought tolerance in soybean, and could be incorporated into a marker-assisted selection breeding program to develop high-yielding soybean cultivars with improved tolerance to drought stress.

Confirmation of delayed canopy wilting QTLs from multiple soybean mapping populations

“…Physiological mechanisms related to delayed wilting have now been identified in multiple soybean genotypes (Sloane et al 1990;Carter et al 1999;Fletcher et al 2007;King et al 2009;Ries et al 2012). Genetic studies of delayed wilting have identified QTLs, evaluated heritability, and reported relationships with other agronomic traits (Charlson et al 2009;Du et al 2009;Abdel-Haleem et al 2012).…”

Genetic analysis of agronomic traits associated with plant architecture by QTL mapping in maize

“…In comparison, the recombinant inbred line (RIL) population is immortal and can be used in different regions and times because it consists of homogenous individuals. The RIL population has been widely used for QTL mapping in crops (Balint-Kurti et al, 2008;Du et al, 2009;Blair et al, 2010;Zhou et al, 2011), but it has rarely been used for QTL mapping for traits associated with plant architecture in maize (Tang et al, 2007;Liu et al, 2010). Additionally, the same type of segregating population derived from different parental lines likely provide different QTL identification results, including different location, number, and genetic effects.…”

Genetic Adjustment to Changing Climates: Chickpea

“…In case of abiotic stresses such as drought, cold, and heat, the main drivers of climate change very limited molecular marker analyses are available; however, efforts are underway to identify QTL underlying tolerances to these stresses. QTL for drought tolerance have been identified in soybean and chickpea (Millan et al 2006;Du et al 2009;Ur Rehman 2009). In case of soybean, Du et al (2009) detected 40 QTL in total, 17 for leaf water status traits under drought stress and 23 QTL for seed yield under wellwatered and drought-stressed conditions.…”

“…QTL for drought tolerance have been identified in soybean and chickpea (Millan et al 2006;Du et al 2009;Ur Rehman 2009). In case of soybean, Du et al (2009) detected 40 QTL in total, 17 for leaf water status traits under drought stress and 23 QTL for seed yield under wellwatered and drought-stressed conditions. Two seed yield QTL were detected under both wellwatered and drought-stressed conditions in the field.…”