Evaluation of Natto Soybean for Agronomic and Seed Quality Traits

Abstract

Natto is a traditional Japanese soyfood, but little information is available on how agronomic and seed physical quality traits affect natto quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate agronomic and seed physical quality traits of natto varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], including genotype and environmental effects, as well the heritability and correlations among those traits. During two years, 15 natto genotypes were grown, with three replications, in three Arkansas locations (Keiser, Rohwer, and Stuttgart) and were analyzed for agronomic and seed physical quality traits. Genotype affected all of the traits except for yield. Superior natto varieties (ARK1, ARK2, and ARK3) matured later and produced smaller and softer seeds than the other natto varieties. All of the traits had high heritability (>0.60). Varieties with larger seeds had significantly higher yield than varieties with smaller seeds. Because small-seeded varieties with quality attributes are desirable for natto production, breeding for small-seeded, high-yielding genotypes will continue to be a challenge.

KEYWORDS:

• genotype x environment
• heritability
• quality attributes
• small-seeded
• southern USA