Stable pleiotropic loci and candidate genes for fresh pod‐ and seed‐related characteristics across multiple environments in soybean (Glycine max)

Abstract

Soybean provides irreplaceable protein and oil. Pods and seeds are essential soybean harvested organs. To illustrate the genetic basis of pod‐ and seed‐related traits, a natural population was assessed for eight related traits under four environments. In all, 15 associated SNPs were identified across multiple environments or controlling various traits, and 11 were verified through BLUP. Two SNPs on chromosome 15 were associated with six traits across multiple environments. Two SNPs on chromosome 2 were also associated with six traits under multiple environments. Significant phenotype differences between favourable and unfavourable alleles/haplotypes under four environments were detected. Significant association of pod length SNP and large‐pod phenotype (pod length ≥4.5 cm) was detected. The genetic basis of elite germplasms was analysed, and ‘Chuxiu’ possessed all of the 15 favourable alleles with best phenotype. Some candidate genes participating in cell wall structural remodelling, gibberellin and ethylene pathways were selected with different expressions in pod developmental stages. These results provided novel insights into genetic basis and molecular markers/candidate genes for soybean fresh pod and seed genetic improvement.

Genetic loci and candidate genes with pleiotropic effects for tofu and soymilk weights across multiple environments in soybean (Glycine max)

“…The analysis of variance (ANOVA), description statistics and correlation analysis of tofu and soymilk related traits were conducted via the SPSS statistics V25.0 software. The best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) values of the related traits were calculated via the Ime4 software of R language statistical program (Chen et al, 2021).…”