Mapping Genes Associated with Methionine and Cysteine in Soybean

The objective this study was to identify quantitative trait loci associated with methionine and cysteine levels in soybean seed. To achieve this objective, 101 F6-derived recombinant inbred lines were developed by crossing two high-protein germplasm lines. Results indicated that the heritabilities of 0.14 and 0.57 were obtained for cysteine and methionine, respectively. This unique inbred population was screened using ninety-four molecular genetic markers. The research team found four quantitative trait loci on three molecular linkage groups D1a, F and G that were associated with cysteine and three quantitative trait loci on linkage groups F, G, and M that were associated with methionine concentration in soybean seed. Using molecular markers associated with these quantitative trait loci will provide soybean breeders with new tools in improving the sulfur containing amino acids in soybeans. The next step is to confirm the value of these quantitative trait loci in other soybean populations.

Panthee, D.R. and co-workers. 2006. Quantitative trait loci controlling sulfur containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, in soybean seeds. Theoretical Applied Genetics. 112: 546-553.