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Genetics and mapping of quantitative traits for nodule number, weight, and size in soybean (Glycine max L.[Merr.])

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Abstract

Soybean research has found that nodule traits, especially nodule biomass, are associated with N2 fixation ability. Two genotypes, differing in nodule number per plant and individual nodule weight, KS4895 and Jackson, were mated to create 17 F3- and 80 F5-derived RILs. The population was mapped with 664 informative markers with an average distance of less than 20 cM between adjacent markers. Nodule traits were evaluated in 3-year field trials. Broad-sense heritability for nodule number (no. plant−1), individual nodule dry weight (mg nodule−1), individual nodule size (mm nodule−1), and total nodule dry weight (g plant−1) was 0.41, 0.42, 0.45, and 0.27, respectively. Nodule number was negatively correlated with individual nodule weight and size. Nodule number, individual nodule weight, and size are major components which likely contributed to increased total nodule weight per plant. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified eight QTLs for nodule number with R2 values ranging from 0.14 to 0.20. Multiple interval mapping (MIM) identified two QTLs for nodule number, one of which was located close to the QTL identified with CIM. Six QTLs for individual nodule weight were detected with CIM, and one QTL was identified with MIM. For nodule size, CIM identified seven QTLs with R2 values ranging from 0.14 to 0.27. Five QTLs for total nodule weight were detected with CIM, one of which was located close to a QTL identified with MIM. These results document the first QTL information on nodule traits in soybean from field experiments utilizing a dense, complete linkage map.

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Abbreviations

C.I.:

Confidence interval

CIM:

Composite interval mapping

LG:

Linkage group

LS:

Least square means

LOD:

Logarithm of odds

LRT:

Likelihood ratio test

MIM:

Multiple interval mapping

QTL:

Quantitative trait loci

RIL:

Recombinant inbred line

SSR:

Simple sequence repeat

SNP:

Single nucleotide polymorphism

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge partial financial support for this research from the United Soybean Board and from the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) project number 6402-21220-012-00D. Editorial assistance from Penny McGee is greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72704, USA

    Sadal Hwang, C. Andy King, Marilynn K. Davies & Larry C. Purcell

  2. Crop Genetics Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Jeffery D. Ray

  3. Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, USDA-ARS, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA

    Perry B. Cregan

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  1. Sadal Hwang
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  2. Jeffery D. Ray
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  3. Perry B. Cregan
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  6. Larry C. Purcell
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Correspondence to Larry C. Purcell.

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Hwang, S., Ray, J.D., Cregan, P.B. et al. Genetics and mapping of quantitative traits for nodule number, weight, and size in soybean (Glycine max L.[Merr.]). Euphytica 195, 419–434 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-013-1005-0

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