Isoflavone composition in F1 soybean progenies

Twenty F1 soybean progenies were analyzed for isoflavone content in order to investigate whether this attribute can be translated from parents to the corresponding hybrids. Content of total isoflavones in analyzed samples was ranged from 1.56 to 3.66 mg/g of dried soybean. Ten analyzed F1 progenies in one group had a mutual parent while the rest in the second group had randomly chosen parents. Contents of total isoflavones, total daidzeins and total genisteins were significantly different (p < 0.05) in these two sample groups. A significantly strong correlation (p < 0.05) between total isoflavone content in parents and corresponding F1 progenies was established (R2 = 0.915). Similarity of the F1 progenies with a mutual parent was confirmed by Principal Component Analysis. Obtained results suggest that isoflavone content is the trait that can be derived from parent genotype to its F1 progenies and therefore the breeding of genotypes with better health promoting characteristics can be directed.

► We compared isoflavone content between parents and F1 progenies of soybean.
► The aim was to determine the possibility to translate this trait by hybridization.
► Strong correlation of isoflavone content in parents and F1 progenies was established.
► Isoflavone content could be translated from parent genotype to its F1 progenies.
► Cultivation of genotypes with favorable isoflavone content could be directed.