SNP markers linked to QTL conditioning plant height, lodging, and maturity in soybean

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is a major crop and a leading source of protein meal and edible oil worldwide. Plant height (PHT), lodging (LDG), and days to maturity (MAT) are three important agronomic traits that influence the seed yield of soybean. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for PHT, LDG and MAT using a high density SNP map of a recombinant inbred line soybean mapping population. With single factor analysis of variance six, four, and three QTL were identified across environments for PHT, LDG, and MAT, respectively. Several QTL for each trait were also detected by composite interval mapping with high confidence. Two and one QTL for PHT and LDG, respectively were novel QTL identified in this study. Additionally, most QTL identified in the present study are flanked by two or more SNP markers that are closely linked to each QTL. The SNP markers identified to be closely linked to each QTL in this study are valuable for marker assisted selection (MAS) of the QTL by interested soybean breeding programs. Thus, this study clearly advances the knowledge on genetic controls of plant height, lodging and maturity in soybean, and identifies more efficient and reliable markers for MAS for these traits than those currently exist.