Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Annual and Perennial Species.

We have estimated the average genetic diversity of two annual and six perennial species based upon 76 orthologous gene sets and performed phylogenetic analysis, divergence analysis and tests for departure from neutrality of the eight species using 52 orthologous gene sets. In addition, 367 orthologous gene sets were used to estimate the relationships of 11 accessions. Among the perennials, showed the highest nucleotide diversity.

Genome-wide Scan for Seed Composition Provides Insights into Soybean Quality Improvement and the Impacts of Domestication and Breeding.

The complex genetic architecture of quality traits has hindered efforts to modify seed nutrients in soybean. Genome-wide association studies were conducted for seed composition, including protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids, using 313 diverse soybean germplasm accessions genotyped with a high-density SNP array. A total of 87 chromosomal regions were identified to be associated with seed composition, explaining 8%-89% of genetic variances.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Grain Yield Stability and Environmental Interactions in a Multiparental Soybean Population.

Genetic improvement toward optimized and stable agronomic performance of soybean genotypes is desirable for food security. Understanding how genotypes perform in different environmental conditions helps breeders develop sustainable cultivars adapted to target regions. Complex traits of importance are known to be controlled by a large number of genomic regions with small effects whose magnitude and direction are modulated by environmental factors.

Genetic Characterization of the Soybean Nested Association Mapping Population.

A set of nested association mapping (NAM) families was developed by crossing 40 diverse soybean [ (L.) Merr.] genotypes to the common cultivar.