Glycine soja, PI424025, is a valuable genetic resource to improve soybean seed-protein content and composition

Abstract

Soybean seed-protein content and composition is important because it contributes over half the value of this $61 billion crop. Historic negative correlation between seed-protein content and oil have been reported. Similarly, negative correlation between seed-protein content and yield have been reported but may be at least in part mitigated by increasing the genetic diversity of the elite soybean germplasm. Improvements in amino acid composition of seed-protein would increase the value of soybean meal and protein for animal and human consumption. We have identified a genetic resource in wild soybean germplasm, PI424025B, with elevated seed-protein, elevated cysteine in the seed and increased sulfur content in the seed. We have developed a population of Recombinant Inbred Lines derived from a cross between NC-Raleigh and PI424025B. We evaluated the carbon, nitrogen and sulfur (C, N and S) content of seeds from the progeny, the parents and other high-seed protein soybean lines. N content and C/N (ratio of C to N) were well correlated with protein content measured by NIR. PI424025B had a N content comparable to high-protein soybean lines and a superior N/S. These traits were inherited by some of the progeny. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with high-seed protein were identified on chr2, chr20 and chr15 and colocalizes with well characterized loci on chr 15 and chr 20 known to affect seed-protein content and quality. A potentially unique QTL was identified on Chr15. Unlike the chr20 QTL, the chr15 QTL improved S content relative to N content and was superior to other high seed-protein phenotypes tested. These data indicate that PI424025B is a valuable resource to diversify the genetics of soybean while improving soybean seed-protein content and composition.