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Soybean Maturity Genes Associated with Seed Coat Pigmentation and Cracking in Response to Low Temperatures
Author(s) -
Takahashi Ryoji,
Abe Jun
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1999.3961657x
Subject(s) - phytotron , biology , coat , horticulture , browning , anthesis , cracking , botany , cultivar , chemistry , paleontology
Exposure of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to chilling temperatures (≈15°C) at flowering induces browning around the hilum region and cracking of the seed coats. Both pigmentation and cracking degrade the external appearance of soybean seeds and reduce their commercial value. An earlier study showed that one of the genes responsible for pigmentation is closely associated with a maturity gene. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of five soybean maturity genes ( E 1 – E 5 ) on the intensity of seed coat pigmentation and cracking. Soybean cv. Harosoy ( e 1 e 2 E 3 E 4 e 5 ) and its near‐isogenic lines (NIL) for E 1 to E 5 loci were exposed to 15°C for 2 wk beginning 8 d after anthesis. Control plants were grown in a greenhouse throughout their life cycle, whereas treated plants were transferred from the greenhouse to a phytotron for the chilling treatment. Intensity of pigmentation was not affected by e 3 , slightly reduced by E 2 and e 4 , and profoundly reduced by E 1 and E 5 Degree of cracking was slightly increased by e 3 and drastically reduced by e 4 , E 1 , and E 5 The results suggest that some of the soybean maturity genes have inhibitory effects on the intensity of seed coat pigmentation and cracking in response to low temperatures. Dominant alleles E 1 and E 5 are most effective in suppressing both pigmentation and cracking. Therefore, these two genes may be useful to ensure tolerance to chilling stress in cultivars with e 3 and e 4 , which jointly condition the insensitivity to long daylength, an adaptive trait in high latitude regions.