Seed quality QTLs identified in a molecular map of early maturing soybean

This study identified QTLs influencing seed quality characters in a cross of two early maturing soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars (Ma.Belle and Proto) adapted to the short growing seasons of Central Europe. A molecular linkage map was constructed by using 113 SSR, 6 RAPD and 1 RFLP markers segregating in 82 individuals of an F-2 population. The map consists of 23 linkage groups and corresponds well to previously published soybean maps. Using phenotypic data of the F-2-derived lines grown in five environments. four markers for protein content. three for oil content and eight for seed weight were identified. Four from fifteen seed quality QTL-regions identified in the present study were also found by other authors. Markers associated with seed weight QTLs were consistent across all environments and proved to have effects large enough to be useful in a marker-assisted breeding program, whereas protein and oil QTLs showed environmental interactions.