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Tocopherols in Soybean Seeds: Genetic Variation and Environmental Effects in Field-Grown Crops

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society

Abstract

Controlled environment studies show α-tocopherol (αT) in soybean seeds increases several fold as a result of warmer temperature or drought during seed maturation, but total tocopherols (Ttot) stay approximately constant. To determine if natural variation in weather or climate affect T under field conditions, we analyzed soybean seeds grown at several locations in Maryland between 1999 and 2002. Weather was relatively normal during 1999–2001, whereas warmer temperatures and extreme drought were characteristic of 2002. Comparing 18 lines, there were small but significant differences in Ttot as well as 2- to 3-fold differences in αT during 1999–2001. Seeds from locations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (full season crops) had higher absolute and relative levels of αT compared to seeds from a (cooler) central Maryland location or seeds from a later planting (double crop) on the Eastern Shore. Effects of location or planting date were small compared to that of genetic line when considering the normal years 1999–2001. In 2002, however, several fold increases in αT/Ttot were observed in Maturity Group III and IV seeds, especially from full season crops grown at two locations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We conclude weather and climate are significant factors affecting soybean seed T content.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Food Components and Health Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Room 134 Bldg. 307C, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705-2325, USA

    Steven J. Britz & Diane F. Kremer

  2. Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    William J. Kenworthy

Authors
  1. Steven J. Britz
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  2. Diane F. Kremer
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  3. William J. Kenworthy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven J. Britz.

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Britz, S.J., Kremer, D.F. & Kenworthy, W.J. Tocopherols in Soybean Seeds: Genetic Variation and Environmental Effects in Field-Grown Crops. J Am Oil Chem Soc 85, 931–936 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-008-1286-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-008-1286-y

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