The plant geneticist’s contribution toward changing lipid and amino acid composition of soybeans

Abstract

Abstract Interest in changing composition of soybeans focuses on linolenic acid in the oil. Available germ plasm includes no lines with less than about 3.5% linolenic acid in the oil. Some breeding lines have been obtained with iodine values of about 115, reflecting higher oleic acid and somewhat lower than normal linoleic and linolenic acid levels. Radiation and other mutagenic agents have been investigated to a limited extent for potential usefulness in inducing a mutation in the direction of low linolenic acid. No such mutant has yet been found, and the task of identifying one is formidable. There is no research known at this time with the objective of altering amino acid distribution in soybeans.