Determination of genetic purity of soybean seeds with the aid of microsatellite molecular markers

Abstract

Environmental factors contribute for production of soybean seeds with different characteristics from the standard pattern of a determined variety. DNA markers can contribute for the identification of genetic seed purity, once these type of markers are not influenced by the environment. The objective of this work was to evaluated a method for analysis of soybean seed genetic purity by using microsatellites markers. DNA samples from soybean seeds considered atypical by the visual method were analyzed by microsatellites and compared with the typical variety pattern. DNA samples were analyzed in bulks, reducing costs but keeping the same precision as the one obtained in the individual analysis. From eleven seed lots classified as contaminated by the visual method, and therefore eliminated through certification, only four were shown to present a number of contaminating seeds above the accepted limit trough DNA analysis.