Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) for Seed Size and Fatty Acid Composition Using Recombinant Inbred Lines in Soybean

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] is an important crop, accounting for 48% of the world market in oil crops. Improvements in economic traits, such as quality and oil constituents, arethe most important objectives in soybean breeding. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control seed size and fatty acid contents in soybean. 115 F2:10 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross of 'Keunolkong' and 'Iksan10' were used. Narrow-sense heritability estimates based on a plot mean on 100 seed weight, saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid + stearic acid), and oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid content were 0.72, 0.60, 0.83, 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The 100 seeds weight was related to seven QTLs located on chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 9, 16 and 17. Two independent QTLs for saturated fatty acid content were identified on chromosomes 17 and 19. Five independent QTLs for oleic acid content wereidentified on chromosomes7, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Five QTLs for linoleic acid content were located on chromosomes 2, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Three QTLs for linolenic acid content were located on chromosomes 8, 10 and 19. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid had one major common QTL on chromosome 19. Thus, linoleic and linolenic acid content were identified as common QTLs.