Relating soybean (Glycine max) Ecotype and Environment to Seed Biomass Composition

The soybean plant (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) produces an important oilseed that is a major food source for both humans and livestock due to the significant protein and oil contents, which account for about 40% and 20% of total composition, respectively. The versatility of soybean makes the crop an important candidate for developing product-specific lines through selecting for desired traits. Determining potential correlations between biomass composition with respect to genotype and growth location aids in the identification of candidates for breeding programs or genetic modification. For this purpose, ten soybean cultivars, Dennison, M09-W043, M09-W053, M09-W150, M09-W153, Ohio FG1, Ohio FG5, Summit and Wyandot were grown at four locations in Ohio: Plain City, South Charleston, Hoytville, and Wooster, and the biomass of mature seeds was characterized. Oil content was quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and varying amounts of five fatty acids derived from triacylglycerols were found across samples. Total protein concentration was determined using the colorimetric Biorad DC assay. Amino acid composition was determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and varying amounts of sixteen amino acids were found across samples. Using partial least squares discriminate analysis, it was found that cultivar accounted for more variance across samples and therefore genotype rather than agricultural practices or soil composition had more of an effect on biomass. The metabolites that contributed to the most variance for both genotypes and locations have been determined and investigated. This work reveals promising avenues for further study regarding what directly affects the production of potentially desired compounds in soybean.The Ohio Soybean CouncilNo embargoAcademic Major: Biochemistr