Genetic Inheritance of Black Seed Coat in Soybean

The standard phenotype of R gene is black hilum on black seed. The genetic control of several
soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) natural variants has not been studied. The genetic type T16 is the
only occurrence with brown hilum on black seed coat. The aim of this chapter is to further a
discussion the genetic control of seed black seed coat in soybean. The commercial cultivars Bragg,
BR13 and BR6 present yellow seeds, their natural variants Bragg P and BR13P present black seed
color and BR6M, LCV91-26 brown seed color. T16 was combined with these genotypes and it was
found that the genetic control of the brown hilum trait in black seed coat of the T16 genotype was
controlled by two loci segregating independently and controlling the expression of the color of the
hilum and the seed coat color. The expression of the brown hilum trait in black seed coat is dependent
on locus T_, which controls pubescence color; therefore it occurs only in genotypes with tawny brown
pubescence (T_). Novel black soybean cultivars, breeding for specific characteristics, selected for
direct use could, more suitable for human consumption will increase opportunities for exploring the
global market of health and functional food industry and contribute as food source of both calorie and
protein to combating hunger in undeveloped countries.