Phenotypic Variation and Genetic Architecture for Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr)

Abstract

Photosynthesis ( A ) and intrinsic water use efficiency ( WUE ) are physiological traits directly influencing biomass production, conversion efficiency, and grain yield. Though the influence of physiological process on yield is widely known, studies assessing improvement strategies are rare due to laborious phenotyping and specialized equipment needs. This is one of the first studies to assess the genetic architecture underlying A and intrinsic WUE , as well as to evaluate the feasibility of implementing genomic prediction. A panel of 383 soybean recombinant inbred lines were evaluated in a multi-environment yield trial that included measurements of A and intrinsic WUE , using an infrared gas analyzer during R4–R5 growth stages. Genetic variability was found to support the possibility of genetic improvement through breeding. High genetic correlation between grain yield ( GY ) and A (0.80) was observed, suggesting increases in GY can be achieved through the improvement of A . Genome-wide association analysis revealed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these physiological traits. Cross-validation studies indicated high predictive ability (>0.65) for the implementation of genomic prediction as a viable strategy to improve physiological efficiency while reducing field phenotyping. This work provides core knowledge to develop new soybean cultivars with enhanced photosynthesis and water use efficiency through conventional breeding and genomic techniques.

Yield prediction by machine learning from UAS-based multi-sensor data fusion in soybean

“…The soybean yield trial was performed at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) in 2018 in West Lafayette (Indiana, USA). An alpha lattice incomplete block design with 382 recombinant inbred lines, two complete replications and 32 incomplete blocks per replication was planted [25]. Concretely, the panel includes lines from three classes of families: 16 from elite parents, 12 with diverse pedigrees, and four that are high-yielding under drought conditions.…”

Agronomic performance and water‐use efficiency of F3 soybean populations grown under contrasting base saturation

“…Besides liming, another strategy that makes it possible to exploit the maximum crop yield in soils with low base saturation is to obtain improved genotypes for these limiting conditions (Choudhary & Singh, 2011;Lopez, Xavier, & Rainey, 2019;Moreira, Moraes, Lara, & Nogueira, 2017). In low-fertility acid soils such as those of the Cerrado, plant breeding has been an ally in the identification of genotypes with higher tolerance to aluminium toxicity and higher nutrient use efficiency, aiming at reducing the agricultural risk in these environments.…”

“…Plant water-use efficiency (WUE) is an important physiological parameter defined by the ratio between photosynthesis and transpiration (Farquhar, O'Leary, & Berry, 1982). WUE directly influences biomass production, conversion efficiency and grain yield (Lopez et al, 2019). Moreira, Moraes, et al (2017) evaluated the agronomic and physiological performance of a set of soybean genotypes grown under low and high base saturation (40% and 70%, respectively).…”

Canopy Roughness: A New Phenotypic Trait to Estimate Aboveground Biomass from Unmanned Aerial System

“…108 recombinant inbred lines from 32 families were planted. The panel includes lines from three classes of families: 16 from elite parents, 12 with diverse pedigrees, and four that are high-yielding under drought conditions [ 29 ].…”