MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF SEED LONGEVITY IN SOYBEAN [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] USING SSR MARKERS.

Soybean is the most important oilseed in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world unfortunately has poor competence for seed longevity. It's strongly affected by environment (Temperature and RH) during seed formation, harvest and storage. Tagging of seed longevity associated markers in the crosses (Birsa Soya1 × DS-228) which are good and poor storer genotypes resp. by using 26 SSR primers in genotypes contrasting for these traits in soybean. The polymorphism was observed between genotypes differing for seed longevity trait for six primer pairs, viz; Sat_162, Satt632, Sat_202, Satt523, Satt184 and Satt460, among them seed coat hardiness QTL, SCH 1-2 linked Satt632 amplified distinct markers. Bulked segregant analysis was carried out by using SSR markers in segregating 93 F2 populations. The Satt632-237 bp marker was further validated in individual F2 plant population. The genotype, Birsa Soya1 and it segregants Satt632-237 bp marker was found to be closely associated with high seed longevity in soybean. Hence, the primer Satt632 is impending marker for marker assisted breeding for high seed longevity marker to be linked to seed coat hardiness loci qSCH1-2 like gene present on chromosome A2. Seed longevity trait is governed by one or few gene with observed segregation ratio of 3.65:1 as against expected segregated ratio 3:1. Candidate gene analysis at qSCH1-2 loci, indicated for role of either a brassinosteriod regulated protein or pentatricopeptide repeat gene to regulate seed longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]