The Low Phytic Acid Phenotype in Soybean Line CX1834 Is Due to Mutations in Two Homologs of the Maize Low Phytic Acid Gene

Plant seeds accumulate phosphorus in the form of myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa-kisphosphate, commonly referred to as phytic acid. Phytic acid is found complexed with cationic mineral species in the form of phytate, which is not well digested or absorbed by monogastric species such as humans, poultry, and swine. As a result, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has an effective deficiency of phosphorus and other minerals, despite high levels of minerals and phosphorus in the seed. Excreted phytate can also contribute to phosphorus contamination of groundwater and eutrophication of freshwater lakes and streams. In maize (Zea mays L. ssp. mays), a recessive mutation in a conserved region within the low phytic acid 1 (lpa1) gene is responsible for the low phytic acid phenotype. We have identified recessive mutations in two soybean homologs of the maize lpa1 gene in soybean line CX1834, a mutagenized line with a low phytic acid phenotype. In three populations analyzed, we identified complete association between homozygosity for mutant alleles of the two lpa1 homologs and the low phytic acid phenotype in soybean. Molecular marker assays were designed that can be used to directly select for the mutant alleles that control the phenotype.