Genetic Diversity Analysis of Seed Appearance Quality of Chinese Soybean Mini Core Collection

The appearance quality of soybean was important for its commercial value. In this study, seed appearance qualities of 235 soybean varieties collected from Chinese Soybean Mini Core Collection including seed shape, seed color, hilum color, glossy seed coat, rate of mottling, seed size (seed length, width and thickness) as well as 100-seed weight were analyzed. The results showed most of the soybeans were with yellow seed coat, brown hilum, glossy seed coat, and in an elliptical shape. Significant difference was detected between seed size and 100-seed weight. Correlation analysis indicated seed width showed positive relation with seed length or thickness, respectively (P<0.01). Seed size was positively related with 100-seed weight, but only accounting for 39.7% of the variance. ANOVA was performed to analyze seed size and 100-seed weight of different soybean varieties collected in various ecotypes, which indicated North-East Spring soybean (NESp) showed the best seed traits compared with the other varieties from various regions, followed by Huanghuai Summer soybean (Hsu). The seed size and 100-seed weight of South Spring soybean (SSp) was relatively lower compared with the others. This report was helpful for the genetic improvement on soybeans grown in different geographical locations.