Profiling and genotype × environment interactions of seed sugar contents in Brazilian soybean genotypes

Brazil is one of the largest soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) producers in the world, as well as main exporter. Little information is available about both the composition of Brazilian genotypes in respect to soluble sugars contents such as sucrose, glucose, raffinose and stachyose, and the effect of genotype × environment interaction (GEI). This study evaluated the soluble sugar contents, the GEI and the genetic variability of highly cultivated cultivars and new soybean lines. A sample of 46 commercial Brazilian cultivars and 35 pre-commercial lines were evaluated at six locations during the 2014/15 crop season, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soluble sugars were evaluated using an infrared spectroscopy (NIR) method. The average contents of sucrose, glucose, raffinose and stachyose were 3.3, 1.62, 0.39 and 3.07% which were lower than the levels found in other countries. All field traits were highly influenced by the environment. The cultivar NS 6121 RR presented a reduced (and stable across the environments) raffinose and stachyose content and can be used as a source of novel genes in breeding programs. Brazilian soybean presents genotypic differences which can be exploited to reduce or increase soluble sugar contents in breeding programs. There is a strong GEI for sucrose, glucose, raffinose and stachyose contents for Brazilian environments. The evaluated genotypes presented reduced contents of raffinose and stachyose, which are considered antinutritional factors. The new soybean lines presented similar soluble sugar contents to the tested cultivars.