QTL‐seq identified QTLs and candidate genes for two‐seed pod length and width in soybean (Glycine max)

Seed size is an important factor affecting soybean (Glycine max) yield and quality, and the length and width of the pods are significantly related to the seed size. Soybean two-seed pod is a stable pod-setting trait. Based on soybean chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL), QTL-seq method was used to locate the QTL of soybean two-seed pod length (TSPL) and width (TSPW) and to mine the related genesA total of 3 QTLs for TSPL and 5 QTLs for TSPW were obtained. Among them, the positions of qTSPL-B1-1 and qTSPW-B1-1 overlapped, and this overlapping interval was used as the major QTL for soybean TSPL and TSPW. Haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotype variation of Glyma.11G051600 would cause the phenotypes of TSPL and TSPW to vary. RT-pcr showed that the expression of Glyma.11G051600 was closely related to the development of soybean TSPL and TSPW. Therefore, Glyma.11G051600 was used as a common gene to regulate the growth and development of TSPL and TSPW. These results provide a basis for research on candidate genes and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for soybean breeding.