Soybean seed lustre phenotype and surface protein cosegregate and map to linkage group E

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds vary in their surface properties. The lustre, or glossiness, of seeds has been classified into several different phenotypes. Soybean seeds that have a dull lustre or moderate bloom (B) may also have abundant seed surface protein, namely, an abundance of the hydrophobic protein from soybean (HPS). The seed surface protein HPS is an allergen (Gly m 1) that causes asthma in persons allergic to soybean dust. In this study, seed lustre and surface protein content are compared among 71 different soybean cultivars and lines. Dull-seeded phenotypes usually possessed abundant surface protein in comparison to shiny-seeded types, although exceptions were observed. An F2 population of 82 individuals from a cross of OX281 (dull lustre, abundant HPS) and Mukden (shiny lustre, trace amounts of HPS) provided a basis for inheritance studies and genetic mapping analysis. Results indicate that dull seed lustre (B) and surface protein (Hps) loci are dominant Mendelian traits that cosegregate and map to soybean linkage group E. Molecular markers were used to construct a genetic map of 28 cM encompassing B and Hps. Two different molecular markers cosegregated with each of the loci. This study provides additional evidence that Hps may play a role in the adhesion of endocarp tissues to the seed, and offers new methods of selection for seed lustre and surface protein composition in soybean.