First Indian Soybean Variety Free from Off-Flavour Generating Lipoxygenase-2 Gene Identified for Release for Commercial Cultivation

Soybean seed lipoxygenase-2 is the principal contributor to off-flavour associated with soy-products and constrains the utilization of soybean in food uses. A soybean genotype NRC132 genetically free from lipoxygenase-2 was developed through modified marker-assisted backcrossing by crossing climate-smart variety JS97-52 with null lipoxygenase-2 donor PI596540, an exotic germplasm accession. Null lipoxygenase-2 gene-specific marker and SSR marker linked to Lox2 locus were deployed for foreground selection and phenotyped through lipoxygenase-2 assay. The genotype was tested at multi-locations in Southern and Eastern zone in 2017, 2018, 2019 for yield and reaction to insect pests and diseases. The genotype yielded at par and significantly higher than the best performing check in Southern and Eastern zone, respectively, and showed resistance against potential diseases and insect pests at hotspots. Soy-milk produced from NRC132 gave reduced off-flavour. The genotype identified for release as variety holds potential to boost utilization of soybean in manufacturing food products.