Day Temperature Influences the Male-Sterile Locus in Soybean

摘要

Cultivated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a major source of oil and protein in global food production. As demand for soy-based products increases, it is essential for breeders to find ways to increase yield beyond conventional methods. Alternative methods of cultivar development and improvement must be identified. Our objectives were to determine if the ms9 locus conferring male sterility in soybean was environmentally sensitive and, if it were, to determine which environments could be used in hybrid seed production. This was accomplished through characterization of pollen phenotypes and selfed seed set among progeny of soybean genotype T359H (Genetic Type Collection number T359H), a heterozygous maintainer line for the ms9 locus. T359H was evaluated in seven environmental regimens in growth chamber experiments. We used a split-plot design to test the effect of temperature regimens and male-sterile phenotypic classifications within chambers. As day temperature increased from 30 to 35?°C, selfed seed set on male-sterile, female-fertile plants decreased. Conversely, night temperature affected neither fertile nor male-sterile, female-fertile selfed seed set. This suggests that ms9 can be used in hybrid seed production in controlled environments where day temperature is 35?°C during the flowering. These temperature conditions and their effect on ms9 may provide an alternative method to produce hybrid seed in soybean cultivar development programs.