Abstract
Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] is the legume with the largest cultivated area worldwide and its yield depends largely on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and root architecture. This study aimed to explore the genetic variability of root architectural traits and di-nitrogen fixing activity in a small collection of nine European cultivars belonging to the same maturity group during their early stages. New image analysis approaches were implemented to characterise root architecture at high throughput. Significant genetic variability was identified for the width of the root system, root density, and for nitrogen fixation. This study allowed us to highlight trade-offs among root and nodule traits, and structural and functional traits. Finally, both the image analysis approach and the results could be used for breeding programs of soybean, that could take into account the root system architecture, when the plant interacts in symbiosis with N2-fixing bacteria.
Highlights
Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most cultivated oilseed crop worldwide
In order to quantify the genetic variability of root and nodule traits, we decided (i) to analyse structural and functional (N2 fixation) traits and (ii) to focus on a small collection of nine varieties belonging to the same maturity group
3.1 Genetic variability of biomass allocation was observed among varieties belonging to the same maturity group
Summary
Despite the European and French policy to achieve protein autonomy, the production of soybean (2 813 260 tonnes between 2019 and 2020), is still far away. C. Maslard et al.: OCL 2021, 28, 48 biological nitrogen fixation, and on the contrary enriches the soil in nitrogen with its nitrogen-enriched residues (Peoples et al, 2009; Hungria and Mendes, 2015). Maslard et al.: OCL 2021, 28, 48 biological nitrogen fixation, and on the contrary enriches the soil in nitrogen with its nitrogen-enriched residues (Peoples et al, 2009; Hungria and Mendes, 2015) This culture requires little or no phytosanitary treatment (Reijnders and Soret, 2003) and produces seeds which are rich in oil, protein, fibre, starch and other essential nutrients making it valuable for the production of food and feed (Preissel et al, 2015; FoodData Central). Soybean yields per unit area have very little increased during the last 10 years, suggesting that more research efforts for soybean breeding should be engaged (Liu et al, 2020), especially in the current context of climate change
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