Low Phytic Acid Research Articles

Genetic variation for grain phytate and molecular characterization of low phytic acid‐2 (lpa2) gene‐based maize (Zea mays) inbreds

AbstractMaize possesses higher concentration of phytic acid (PA) compared with other cereals, reducing bioavailability of iron and zinc. Reduction of PA in maize grains thus assumes significance to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. Here, a set of 24 inbreds possessing mutant lpa2‐1 gene and seven inbreds with wild‐type LPA2 gene was field evaluated at Delhi and Hyderabad. The performance of lpa2‐1‐based inbreds was at par with wild‐type inbreds for grain yield (P = .09645) and key agronomic traits (P > .54100). Mutant inbreds possessed significantly low mean PA (1.90 mg/g) over wild‐type inbreds (2.56 mg/g) (P < .00001), with average reduction of 26% PA among lpa2‐1 mutants. Mean inorganic phosphorous (iP) was 0.81 mg/g in lpa2‐1 mutants and 0.27 mg/g in wild types, revealing significantly (P < .00001) higher increment (three‐fold) of iP in mutants compared with wild‐type inbreds. Characterization using 61 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) generated 181 alleles with mean polymorphism information content of 0.40 and mean gene diversity of 0.46. Cluster analyses grouped lpa2‐1 inbreds into three‐major clusters. The study identified potential cross combinations for development of low phytate maize with higher bioavailability of iron and zinc.

Stability Analysis and Heterotic Studies in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds to Develop Hybrids With Low Phytic Acid and High-Quality Protein.

Maize is a major staple crop with high value as food and feed in the poultry sector. Considering the overall nutritional value, maize-based diets comprise two major constraints, i.e., higher phytic acid (PA) and lack of tryptophan. To overcome these issues, a set of identified stable donors for low PA (lpa) and higher tryptophan were crossed in a line × tester fashion, and the hybrids obtained were evaluated at three locations with two replications. Among the inbreds for yield, UMI 1201 and UMI 1205 were the stable good combiners, and for PA, UMI 447 and LPA-2-285 were identified as efficient combiners across locations. Subsequently, 72 hybrids developed from these inbreds had a reduced phytate and higher tryptophan compared with checks having alterations in their yield levels. From Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplots, DMR-QPM-09-13-1 × UMI 1099 (PA:9.38 mg/g, trp:0.06%, and yield:184.35 g) and UMI 1205 × UMI 467 (PA:7.04 mg/g, trp:0.06%, and yield:166.39 g) were stable for their high yield with medium PA and tryptophan. Also, across environments, UMI 1200 × UMI 467 had a stable average yield of 129.91 g along with the lowest PA of 4.50 mg/g and higher tryptophan of 0.07%. Thus, these hybrids could be selected and evaluated in upcoming biofortification trials to benefit the poultry sector. Furthermore, the parental inbreds utilized were grouped into heterotic pools to serve as a source population for the development of lpa hybrids in future programs.

Oxidative stability of tocochromanols, carotenoids, and fatty acids in maize (Zea mays L.) porridges with varying phytate concentrations during cooking and in vitro digestion

Phytic acid, the main storage form of phosphate in maize (Zea mays L.) grains, is known as antinutrient due to its chelating properties but may also prevent oxidation. Thus, the impact of phytic acid on the degradation of tocochromanols, carotenoids, fatty acids, and oxidation products in maize during cooking and subsequent in vitro digestion was examined. Maize porridges from low phytic acid maize flour with or without admixed phytate, or from high phytic acid maize flour were prepared, and digestion experiments conducted. HPLC-(MS) or GC-MS analyses revealed a significant decrease in tocochromanols, carotenoids, and unsaturated fatty acids in the digesta compared to the maize porridges while α-tocopherylquinone and malondialdehyde concentrations increased. The addition of phytic acid did not affect the digestive stabilities of total tocochromanols and carotenoids, but increased micellarisation efficiencies of carotenoids. In conclusion, phytate did not exert antioxidant effects in maize porridge during cooking or simulated digestion.

Biochemical assessment of oat genotypes revealed variability in grain quality with nutrition and crop improvement implications

Oat is a potent source of nutrients and bioactive compounds offering potential health benefits and role in combating micronutrient malnutrition problems. To exploit nutritional and quality traits of oats, a biochemical assessment of 112 oat genotypes was conducted. The high range of variability for total phenol (1.7–31.3 mg/g), β-glucan (1.0–8.0 mg/g), calcium (1.91–4.34 mg/g), zinc (3.80–6.50 mg/100 g), iron (0.66–4.89 mg/100 g) and manganese (2.88–8.0 mg/100 g) was revealed among genotypes. A higher amount of iron and zinc was found in genotypes OS-6, HFO-638, HFO-915 & HFO-918, whereas, elevated levels of manganese and zinc were recorded in genotypes OS-403 & OL-1804. The results revealed groups of low phytic acid oat genotypes containing high crude protein (HFO-52, HFO-270, HFO-330), β-glucan (HFO-62, HFO-588, HFO-926). A significant positive correlation was obtained between copper with iron, manganese, and calcium content. These findings could be useful for developing value-added oat food products and novel oat varieties.

Cloning of Bacillus subtilis phytase gene construct in Escherichia coli.

Background and Objectives:Phytase has a hydrolysis function of phytic acid, which yields inorganic phosphate. Bacillus species can produce thermostable alkaline phytase. The aim of this study was to isolate and clone a Phytase gene (Phy) from Bacillus subtilis in Escherichia coli.Materials and Methods:In this study, the extracellular PhyC gene was isolated from Bacillus subtilis Phytase C. After purification of the bands, DNA fragment of Phy gene was cloned by T/A cloning technique, and the clone was transformed into Escherichia coli. Afterward, the pGEM-Phy was transferred into E. coli Top-10 strain and the recombinants were plated on LB agar containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin. The colonization of 1171 bp of gene Phytase C was confirmed by PCR. The presence of gene-targeting in vector was confirmed with enzymatic digestion by XhoI and XbaI restriction enzymes.Results:The Phytase gene was successfully cloned in E. coli. The result of cloning of 1171 bp Phytase gene was confirmed by PCR assay.Conclusion:Our impression of this article is that several methods, such as using along with microbial, plant phytase reproduction, or low-phytic acid corn may be the better way from a single phytase.

Mungbean x ricebean and mungbean x urdbean interspecific lines are nutritionally comparable to mungbean cultivars

The present investigation reports the contents of nutrients and antinutrients of 7 Mungbean x Ricebean (MR) interspecific lines, 13 Mungbean x Urdbean (MU) interspecific lines and 5 check varieties. SML 1808 exhibited the highest content of total soluble sugars (328.44 mg g−1) while SML 2011 exhibited the lowest (30.65 mg g−1). Mean values of reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, sucrose, starch, amylose and amylopectin in interspecific lines were 3.62, 111.21, 26.34, 329.50, 163.24 and 166.23 mg g−1, respectively. Interspecific lines exhibited 1.96–2.54 mg g-1 phytate, 0.66–2.18 mg g-1 tannins, 120–2560 HU g-1 lectins, 7.50–23.46 TIU mg-1 trypsin inhibitor and 48.87–61.47 AIU g-1 amylase inhibitor activities. SML 1809 was rich in carbohydrates and tannins. SML 1820, SML 1827 and SML 2034 lines exhibited low phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activity and higher sugar content. SML 2031 and SML 2032 (MR lines) and SML 1817, SML 2033 and SML 2034 (MU lines) were better in terms of their nutritional composition. Overall, SML 1809 and SML 2034 were found to be nutritionally promising lines as they exhibited the high carbohydrate content with low phytate and lectins concentration.

Phosphorus application improves grain yield in low phytic acid maize synthetic populations

Maize mutants with low phytic acid have a compromised overall agronomic performance that results in low yields. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of P (18, 26 and 34 mg/kg) on the agronomic performance of low and high phytic acid (LPA and HPA) maize synthetic populations of tropical origin, compared to two commercial hybrids (SC701 and LS8520). Subsequently, a germination test was performed on the seeds produced from the different levels of P fertilizer application rates. The germination test was conducted in the laboratory, using a germination paper towel, while the agronomic study was conducted in a controlled environment. The measured parameters included days to 50% flowering, plant height, and grain yield, as well as the final germination and germination velocity index. The results found that the grain yield increased by 1.30, 0.51, 2.41 and 1.87 t/ha in LPA, HPA, SC701 and LS8520, from the application of 18–26 mg/kg of P, respectively. However, there were non-significant differences (p > 0.05) in the grain yields of all varieties at a P application of 26 and 34 mg/kg. The final germination increased by 4% and 2% in LPA and LS8520, respectively, with the increase in the P application rate being from 18 to 26 mg/kg. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the final germination percentage of all varieties at 26 mg/kg of P. This study indicated that the optimum application of P at planting enhances the overall performance of the LPA maize synthetic population to a level that is comparable to commercially-grown varieties.

Network Inference of Transcriptional Regulation in Germinating Low Phytic Acid Soybean Seeds.

The low phytic acid (lpa) trait in soybeans can be conferred by loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding myo-inositol phosphate synthase and two epistatically interacting genes encoding multidrug-resistance protein ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. However, perturbations in phytic acid biosynthesis are associated with poor seed vigor. Since the benefits of the lpa trait, in terms of end-use quality and sustainability, far outweigh the negatives associated with poor seed performance, a fuller understanding of the molecular basis behind the negatives will assist crop breeders and engineers in producing variates with lpa and better germination rate. The gene regulatory network (GRN) for developing low and normal phytic acid soybean seeds was previously constructed, with genes modulating a variety of processes pertinent to phytic acid metabolism and seed viability being identified. In this study, a comparative time series analysis of low and normal phytic acid soybeans was carried out to investigate the transcriptional regulatory elements governing the transitional dynamics from dry seed to germinated seed. GRNs were reverse engineered from time series transcriptomic data of three distinct genotypic subsets composed of lpa soybean lines and their normal phytic acid sibling lines. Using a robust unsupervised network inference scheme, putative regulatory interactions were inferred for each subset of genotypes. These interactions were further validated by published regulatory interactions found in Arabidopsis thaliana and motif sequence analysis. Results indicate that lpa seeds have increased sensitivity to stress, which could be due to changes in phytic acid levels, disrupted inositol phosphate signaling, disrupted phosphate ion (Pi) homeostasis, and altered myo-inositol metabolism. Putative regulatory interactions were identified for the latter two processes. Changes in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling candidate transcription factors (TFs) putatively regulating genes in this process were identified as well. Analysis of the GRNs reveal altered regulation in processes that may be affecting the germination of lpa soybean seeds. Therefore, this work contributes to the ongoing effort to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying altered seed viability, germination and field emergence of lpa crops, understanding of which is necessary in order to mitigate these problems.

Genetic and molecular characterisation of subtropically adapted low-phytate genotypes for utilisation in mineral biofortification of maize (

Phytic acid (PA) is a major anti-nutritional factor in maize grains and significantly reduces the bioavailability of minerals such as iron and zinc in humans. Reduction of PA in maize (Zea mays L.) thus assumes great significance. Despite the availability of low phytic-acid (lpa) mutants in maize, their utilisation in breeding has been limited because of non-availability of well adapted lpa-based inbreds. A set of 24 subtropically adapted lpa1-1-based maize inbreds derived through molecular breeding was evaluated along with seven wild-type inbreds at multilocation. The lpa1-1 inbreds possessed 35.8% lower PA (1.68 mg/g) than the wild-type inbreds (2.61 mg/g). Mean proportion of PA was lower in the lpa1-1-based inbreds (62.8%) than in the wild-type inbreds (91.6%). The lpa1-1 inbreds showed similar performance for plant- and ear-height besides flowering behaviour as did wild types. Average grain yield among lpa1-1 inbreds (2735.9 kg/ha) was at par with the original versions (2907.3 kg/ha). Molecular profiling of these lpa1-1 inbreds using 60 genome-wide single-sequence repeats generated 172 alleles, with a mean of 2.87 alleles per locus. Mean polymorphism information content and mean gene diversity were 0.41 and 0.48 respectively. Genetic dissimilarity ranged from 0.23 to 0.81, with an average of 0.64. Cluster analyses grouped 24 lpa1-1 genotypes into three major clusters, and principal-coordinate analysis depicted the diverse nature of genotypes. The study also identified a set of potential hybrid combinations with low PA for their direct utilisation in biofortification program. This is the first study on comprehensive characterisation of lpa1-1-based inbreds adapted to subtropical conditions.

Comparison of seed germination and vigour in low and high phytic acid maize synthetic populations and commercially available hybrids

Plant breeders have focused on reducing phytic acid in maize seeds to improve grain nutritional quality. However, this could have negative effects on seed quality. The objective of this study was to compare seed performance of low and high phytic acid (LPA and HPA) synthetic populations of tropical origin with two hybrid varieties (SC701 and LS8520). Four replicates of 20 seeds per variety were germinated in a randomized complete block design for a standard germination test. Seeds were also subjected to an accelerated ageing (AA) test. The results of the final seed germination percentage were as follows: HPA (98.0%) > SC701 (93.0%) > LPA (90.0%) > LS8520 (85.0%). However, statistically, HPA seeds were similar (p > 0.05) to SC701 seeds and LPA seeds were similar (p > 0.05) to SC701 seeds. The mean germination time (MGT) was similar for all varieties, however, the germination velocity index (GVI) was highest (p < 0.05) for SC701 and similar (p > 0.05) in LPA and HPA. Both SC701 and HPA showed higher percentages germination when they were exposed to the AA test. It was concluded that the LPA population had similar seed quality parameters to high performing varieties.

Agronomic Performance in Low Phytic Acid Field Peas.

Field pea is a pulse that delivers high protein content, slowly digestible starch and fiber, and many vitamins and minerals, including iron. Naturally occurring plant phytic acid molecules bind iron, lowering its availability for absorption during digestion. Two low phytic acid (lpa) pea lines, 1-2347-144 and 1-150-81, developed by our group had 15% lower yield and 6% lower seed weight relative to their progenitor cultivar. Subsequently, we crossed the two lpa lines and two cultivars, and derived 19 promising lpa pea breeding lines; here we document their agronomic performance based on 10 replicated field trials in Saskatchewan. Seventeen of these lpa lines yielded greater than 95% of the check mean (associated cultivars) and 16 were above 98% of the check mean for 1000 seed weight. The 19 lpa lines showed 27 to 55% lower phytic acid concentration than the check mean. Iron concentrations were similar in all the lpa lines and cultivars, yet the Caco-2 human cell culture assay revealed 14 of the 19 lpa lines had 11 to 55% greater iron bioavailability than check means. Thus, a single round of plant breeding has allowed for closing the gap in performance of low phytic acid pea.

Metabolite profiling reveals the metabolic features of the progenies resulting from the low phytic acid rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant

The low phytic acid (lpa) rice mutant Os-lpa-XS110-2, exhibiting OsMRP5 mutation-induced metabolic features (i.e. decreased levels of phytic acid and raffinose, and increased levels of amino acids and biogenic amine GABA), was crossed with two commercial rice cultivars. The inferior field emergence rate of the lpa mutant was significantly improved upon cross-breeding. The GC/MS-based metabolomics was utilized to investigate the impact of cross-breeding on the metabolite profiles of the resulting progeny rice grains. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that in spite of the predominant influence of crossing parent on the metabolite profiles of the progenies, the OsMRP5 mutation-induced metabolite signature, was stably expressed in the lpa mutant progenies over generations. The OsMRP5 lpa rice mutant seeds might be considered valuable genetic resources to develop rice grains with favorable metabolic traits.

Transcriptome analysis identifies differentially expressed genes in the progenies of a cross between two low phytic acid soybean mutants

Phytic acid (PA) is a major antinutrient that cannot be digested by monogastric animals, but it can decrease the bioavailability of micronutrients (e.g., Zn and Fe). Lowering the PA content of crop seeds will lead to enhanced nutritional traits. Low-PA mutant crop lines carrying more than one mutated gene (lpa) have lower PA contents than mutants with a single lpa mutant gene. However, little is known about the link between PA pathway intermediates and downstream regulatory activities following the mutation of these genes in soybean. Consequently, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis using an advanced generation recombinant inbred line with low PA levels [2mlpa (mips1/ipk1)] and a sibling line with homozygous non-mutant alleles and normal PA contents [2MWT (MIPS1/IPK1)]. An RNA sequencing analysis of five seed developmental stages revealed 7945 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the 2mlpa and 2MWT seeds. Moreover, 3316 DEGs were associated with 128 metabolic and signal transduction pathways and 4980 DEGs were annotated with 345 Gene Ontology terms related to biological processes. Genes associated with PA metabolism, photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and defense mechanisms were among the DEGs in 2mlpa. Of these genes, 36 contributed to PA metabolism, including 22 genes possibly mediating the low-PA phenotype of 2mlpa. The expression of most of the genes associated with photosynthesis (81 of 117) was down-regulated in 2mlpa at the late seed developmental stage. In contrast, the expression of three genes involved in sucrose metabolism was up-regulated at the late seed developmental stage, which might explain the high sucrose content of 2mlpa soybeans. Furthermore, 604 genes related to defense mechanisms were differentially expressed between 2mlpa and 2MWT. In this study, we detected a low PA content as well as changes to multiple metabolites in the 2mlpa mutant. These results may help elucidate the regulation of metabolic events in 2mlpa. Many genes involved in PA metabolism may contribute to the substantial decrease in the PA content and the moderate accumulation of InsP3–InsP5 in the 2mlpa mutant. The other regulated genes related to photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and defense mechanisms may provide additional insights into the nutritional and agronomic performance of 2mlpa seeds.

Assessment of genetic diversity of Turkish maize landraces for phytic acid and total phenolic contents

Assessment of genetic diversity of Turkish maize landraces for phytic acid and total phenolic contents

Characterizing the diversity of grain phytic acid content in Indian rice landraces by multivariate genetic analyses

Phytic acid (PA) acts as chelator of cationic mineral elements iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) and obstructs their absorption in the human gut. We have evaluated a set of 162 traditional rice landraces for phytic acid phosphorus (PA-P), inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and total phosphorus (TP). Wide variability was observed for PA-P, Pi and TP ranging from 1.12 to 3 mg/g, 0.004 to 0.16 mg/g and 1.17 to 3.04 mg/g respectively. The mineral micronutrients, Fe and Zn were not in correlation with PA-P, Pi and TP implicating the possibility of their independent improvement while PAP showed a significant positive correlation with TP and significant negative correlation with Pi. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two principal components PC1 and PC2, explaining 50.6 % and 32.1 % of the total variation, respectively. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into four clusters. The study has also led to the identification of promising donors such as P1490 and Gowri with low PA content to be utilized in rice biofortification programmes.

Oilseed by-products as plant-based protein sources: Amino acid profile and digestibility

The growing world population and its environmental impact motivate searching for new protein sources for the human diet. Agro-industrial by-products are potential sources due to high protein content. This study characterized meals from five sources (pumpkin seed, flaxseed, chia seed, sesame seed, and grapeseed), about the proximate composition, antinutritional factors (ANFs), amino acid profile (AA), and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD). These by-products present protein content up to 40% and IVPD between 70-85%. ANFs results presented a low phytic acid content for all seed meals and high tannins content in grapeseed meal. In terms of essential AA, the chia seed meal did not show any deficiency. In contrast, the first limiting AA in sesame meal and brown flaxseed meal was lysine, and in pumpkin seed meal, grapeseed meal, and flaxseed meal were sulfur amino acids. These agro-industrial by-products are alternatives for replacing animal protein sources due to recovering high-quality proteins, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and conserving scarce natural resources.

Combination of High Zn Density and Low Phytic Acid for Improving Zn Bioavailability in Rice (Oryza stavia L.) Grain

BackgroundZn deficiency is one of the leading public health problems in the world. Staple food crop, such as rice, cannot provide enough Zn to meet the daily dietary requirement because Zn in grain would chelate with phytic acid, which resulted in low Zn bioavailability. Breeding new rice varieties with high Zn bioavailability will be an effective, economic and sustainable strategy to alleviate human Zn deficiency.ResultsThe high Zn density mutant LLZ was crossed with the low phytic acid mutant Os-lpa-XS110–1, and the contents of Zn and phytic acid in the brown rice were determined for the resulting progenies grown at different sites. Among the hybrid progenies, the double mutant always displayed significantly higher Zn content and lower phytic acid content in grain, leading to the lowest molar ratio of phytic acid to Zn under all environments. As assessed by in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model, the double mutant contained the relatively high content of bioavailable Zn in brown rice.ConclusionsOur findings suggested pyramiding breeding by a combination of high Zn density and low phytic acid is a practical and useful approach to improve Zn bioavailability in rice grain.

An Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-Pentakisphosphate 2-Kinase 1 Mutant with a 33-nt Deletion Showed Enhanced Tolerance to Salt and Drought Stress in Rice.

OsIPK1 encodes inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase, which catalyzes the conversion of myo-inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate to myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (IP6) in rice. By clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas9)-mediated mutagenesis in the 3rd exon of the gene, three OsIPK1 mutations, i.e., osipk1_1 (a 33-nt deletion), osipk1_2 (a 1-nt deletion), and osipk1_3 (a 2-nt deletion) were identified in T0 plants of the rice line Xidao #1 (wild type, WT). A transfer DNA free line with the homozygous osipk1_1 mutation was developed; however, no homozygous mutant lines could be developed for the other two mutations. The comparative assay showed that the osipk1_1 mutant line had a significantly lower level of phytic acid (PA, IP6; −19.5%) in rice grain and agronomic traits comparable to the WT. However, the osipk1_1 mutant was more tolerant to salt and drought stresses than the WT, with significantly lower levels of inositol triphosphate (IP3), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced IP6, and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes in seedlings subjected to these stresses. Further analyses showed that the transcription of stress response genes was significantly upregulated in the osipk1_1 mutant under stress. Thus, the low phytic acid mutant osipk1_1 should have potential applications in rice breeding and production.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of the Quantitative Trait Loci Governing Low Phytic Acid Content in a Novel LPA Rice Mutant, PLM11.

Breeding rice varieties with a low phytic acid (LPA) content is an effective strategy to overcome micronutrient deficiency in a population which consume rice as a staple food. An LPA mutant, Pusa LPA Mutant 11 (PLM11), was identified from an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-induced population of Nagina 22. The present study was carried out to map the loci governing the LPA trait in PLM11 using an F2:3 population derived from a cross between a high phytic acid rice variety, Pusa Basmati 6, with PLM11. The genotyping of the F2 population with 78 polymorphic SSR markers followed by the estimation of phytic acid content in the seeds harvested from 176 F2 plants helped in mapping a major QTL, qLPA8.1, explaining a 22.2% phenotypic variation on Chromosome 8. The QTL was delimited to a 1.96 cM region flanked by the markers RM25 and RM22832. Since there are no previous reports of a QTL/gene governing the LPA content in rice in this region, the QTL qLPA8.1 is a novel QTL. In silico analysis based on the annotated physical map of rice suggested the possible involvement of a locus, Os08g0274775, encoding for a protein similar to a phosphatidylinositol 3- and 4-kinase family member. This needs further validation and fine mapping. Since this QTL is currently specific to PLM11, the linked markers can be utilized for the development of rice varieties with reduced phytic acid (PA) content using PLM11 as the donor, thus enhancing the bioavailability of mineral micronutrients in humans.

Evaluating Genotypes and Seed Treatments to Increase Field Emergence of Low Phytic Acid Soybeans

Low phytic acid (LPA) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] genotypes reduce indigestible PA in soybean seeds in order to improve feeding efficiency of mono- and agastric animals, but often exhibit low field emergence, resulting in reduced yield. In this study, four LPA soybean varieties with two different genetic backgrounds were studied to assess their emergence and yield characters under 12 seed treatment combinations including two broad-spectrum, preplant fungicides (i.e., ApronMaxx (mefenoxam: (R,S)-2-[(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-methoxyacetylamino]-propionic acid methyl ester; fludioxonil: 4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile) and Rancona Summit (ipconazole: 2-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-5-(1-methylethyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) cyclopentanol; metalaxyl: N-(methooxyacetyl)-N-(2,6-xylyl)-DL-alaninate)), osmotic priming, and MicroCel-E coating. Two normal-PA (NPA) varieties served as controls. Both irrigated and non-irrigated plots were planted in Blacksburg and Orange, Virginia, USA in 2014 and 2015. Results revealed that three seed treatments (fungicides Rancona Summit and ApronMaxx, as well as Priming + Rancona) significantly improved field emergence by 6.4–11.6% across all genotypes, compared with untreated seeds. Seed priming was negatively associated with emergence across LPA genotypes. Seed treatments did not increase the yield of any genotype. LPA genotypes containing mips or lpa1/lpa2 mutations, produced satisfactory emergence similar to NPA under certain soil and environmental conditions due to the interaction of genotype and environment. Effective seed treatments applied to LPA soybeans along with the successful development of LPA germplasm by soybean breeding programs, will increase use of LPA varieties by commercial soybean growers, ultimately improving animal nutrition while easing environmental impact.