Genetic bases of improved soybean cultivars released from 1923 to 2005 in China—A historical review

Abstract

Improved soybean cultivars are cultivars released from a scientific breeding program in China in contrast to the historical landraces kept by farmers from their own seed lots. The pedigree data of 1300 soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] released in China from 1923 to 2005 were collected, checked, and corrected. These cultivars traced back to 670 nuclear and 344 cytoplasmic ancestors; 45% (50%) of the nuclear (cytoplasmic) germplasms were from Eco-region I, 23% (26%) from II, 7% (10%) from III, 4% (5%) from IV, 1% (1%) from V, 1% (1%) from VI, 18% (7%) from foreign countries, and 0% (1%) from geographically unknown sources. Both nuclear and cytoplasmic germplasm from Eco-regions I, II, and III, and foreign countries accounted for most of the ancestry of the released cultivars. In each of the eco-regions, with the exception of region VI, but especially in region I, the local nuclear and cytoplasmic germplasm was dominant in the released cultivars. Exotic germplasm accounted for an increasing portion of the nuclear and cytoplasmic germplasm, especially in Eco-regions I and II. The genetic base of the released cultivars is relatively narrow but has been gradually broadened, especially in Eco-regions I and II; and the average number of ancestors per cultivar released between 1996 and 2005 in various eco-regions was approximately double the period between 1986 and 1995. Seventy-eight ancestors accounted for 12% of the total ancestors but explained that 64% of the nuclear contribution and 70% of the cytoplasmic contribution to the 1300 released cultivars. For broadening the genetic base of future cultivars, the utilization of germplasm from outside regions is emphasized.

Keywords

soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] / ancestor / nuclear contribution / cytoplasmic contribution / genetic base broadening

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Acknowledgement

The National Key Basic Research Program of China (Nos. 2006CB1017, 2009CB1184, and 2010CB1259), the National Hightech R & D Program of China (Nos. 2006AA1001, 2009AA1011), the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30490250, 30671266, and 30871550), and the Chinese Ministry of Education 111 Project (No. B08025) supported this work. Some of the pedigree data were provided, checked, and supplemented by a number of breeders and experts. The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to all the people who helped for the work.

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