Genotype × environment interaction and stability for isofl avone content in soybean

Abstract

Isofl avones are naturally occurring compounds found in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Soybean isofl avone, as a quantitative trait, is subject to signifi cant genotype × environment interaction, which makes breeding for this trait diffi cult. Thirty F4:7 soybean lines, derived from crosses of 'RCAT Angora' × CK-01 and 'Heinong 35' × RCAT Angora were classifi ed within each population as high, intermediate, or low isofl avone. The lines, parents, and two maturity checks were grown in four locations in 2005 and six locations in 2006 across Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Isofl avone content of the mature seed was determined by near-infrared refl ectance. The effects of genotype, environment, and the genotype × environment (G × E) interaction were signifi cant. Consistently performing genotypes from the two populations were identifi ed by several stability parameters. Genotype-genotype × environment (GGE) biplot demonstrated an ability to provide information on both the genotypes and the environments in which they were evaluated. The identifi cation of genotypes with consistent placement in either the high-and low-isofl avone classes suggested that breeding for relative isofl avone content in soybean is possible, although breeding for absolute stability remains a challenge, given the large environmental nfl uence on soybean isofl avone levels. ©Crop Science Society of America.