Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Traits of Soybean for Sprout

The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) has the potential to enhance the efficiency of im- proving food processing traits of soybean. In this study, 92 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) loci and two morphological markers (W$_1$ and T) were used to identify QTL associated with food processing traits of soybean for sprout in 83 F$_2$-derived lines from a cross of ＇Pureun＇ x ＇Jinpum 2＇. The genetic map consisted of 76 loci which covered about 760 cM and converged into 20 linkage groups. Eighteen markers remained unlinked. Phenotypic data were collected for hypocotyl length, abnormal seedling rate, and sprout yield seven days after seed germination at 2$0^{\circ}C$. Based on the single-factor analysis of variance, eight independent markers were associated with hypocotyl length. Four of seven markers associated with abnormal seedling rate were identified as independent. Seven loci were associated with sprout yield. For three different traits, much of genetic variation was explained by the identified QTL in this population. Several RFLP markers in linkage group (LG) Bl were detected as being associated with three traits, providing a genetic explanation for the biological correlation of sprout yield with hypocotyl length (r=OA07＊＊＊) and with abnormal seedling rate (r=-406＊＊＊).