Genetic studies and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yield and yield-related traits in vegetable and seed soybean (Glycine max L.) -derived populations

Abstract

Understanding the genetic control of seed yield and yield-related traits is essential for its targeted manipulation and genetic improvement. In this study, vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.) genotype- AGS457, and seed soybean genotype- SKAF148 derived F2 and F2:3 populations were phenotyped in the field for yield and yield-related traits and were genotyped with SSR markers for understanding genetic control and mapping of the yield and yield related traits. Normal frequency distribution of the traits indicated polygenic inheritance of yield and yield-related traits under study. The genetic map constructed with 105 polymorphic SSR markers covered 2005.7cM across 20 chromosomes of soybean. In the F2 generation of the crosses, 11 distinct QTLs were mapped for the yield and yield-related traits with any single QTL explaining 4.9 to 27.93% phenotypic variations of the trait concerned. The 11 QTLs were mapped on 9 different chromosomes viz., 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 and 19. Similarly, 19 QTLs were mapped in the F2:3 population with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by any single QTL ranging from 3.27 to 23.14%. The QTLs in the F2:3 population were mapped on 12 different chromosomes viz., 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18 and 20. Three QTLs, one each for plant height at maturity (qPHM11-1), two-seeded pod length (qTSPL16-1) and seed weight per plant (qSWPP6-1) were consistent across F2 and F2:3 generations. Most of the 19 QTLs mapped in this study were novel ones. The knowledge of genetic control of the target traits and their mapping with SSR markers would facilitate the deployment of these QTLs for enhancing yield and other related traits in soybean.