Detection of quantitative trait loci controlling soybean protein, oil and amino acid content in a recombinant inbred line population

Abstract Soybean is an important source of protein and oil globally with soymeal providing amino acids and metabolizable energy to both humans and animals. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for amino acids, crude protein and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR)-measured seed protein and oil content. To achieve this objective, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was genotyped using 12,761 molecular markers and phenotyped for 18 amino acids, crude protein and NIR-measured protein and oil content. Multiple major effect QTL were identified for all three traits on chromosomes 2 and 15. A major effect QTL for one amino acid, cysteine, was identified on chromosome 20. The QTL identified in this study for soybean composition traits and the associated molecular markers may be useful in breeding to improve the nutritional quality of soybeans.