AUTHOR=Han Dongwei , Zhao Xi , Zhang Di , Wang Zhen , Zhu Zhijia , Sun Haoyue , Qu Zhongcheng , Wang Lianxia , Liu Zhangxiong , Zhu Xu , Yuan Ming 

TITLE=Genome-wide association studies reveal novel QTLs for agronomic traits in soybean

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1375646

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1375646

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Soybean, as a globally significant crop, has garnered substantial attention due to its agricultural importance. The utilization of molecular approaches to enhance grain yield in soybean has gained popularity.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 156 Chinese soybean accessions over a two-year period. We employed the general linear model (GLM) and the mixed linear model (MLM) to analyze three agronomic traits: pod number, grain number, and grain weight. </p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Our findings revealed significant associations between <italic>qgPNpP-98</italic>, <italic>qgGNpP-89</italic> and <italic>qgHGW-85</italic> QTLs and pod number, grain number, and grain weight, respectively. These QTLs were identified on chromosome 16, a region spanning 413171bp exhibited associations with all three traits. </p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>These QTL markers identified in this study hold potential for improving yield and agronomic traits through marker-assisted selection and genomic selection in breeding programs.</p></sec>