Soybeans having high germination rates and ultra-low raffinose and stachyose content
Inventors
Schillinger, John A. • DIERKING, EMILY C. • Bilyeu, Kristin D.
Assignees
Cw Brand Holdings Inc • US Department of Agriculture USDA • Benson Hill Seeds Inc
Publication Number
US-10081814-B2
Publication Date
2018-09-25
Expiration Date
2030-04-16
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Abstract
Soybean seeds having an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype. Also disclosed is a mutant allele of soybean designated SG-ULRFO which results in an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype. The present invention also relates to a soybean seed, a soybean plant and parts of a soybean plant and a soybean hybrid which comprises the mutant allele. Also disclosed are ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean seeds having unexpectedly increased germination rates when compared with soybean lines not having a low raffinose and stachyose seed content. Also disclosed are mutant RS3 and RS4 genes with polymorphisms which contribute to the ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype as described in the present invention. The present invention also relates for method of using the soybean seeds and plants of the present invention, to plants parts derived from the present invention, to methods of producing transgenic plants using the plants and seeds of the present invention.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to soybean seeds and plants having an ultra-low raffinose and stachyose phenotype characterized by raffinose and stachyose seed contents defined by specific low percentage ranges. This includes soybean seeds with raffinose content from about 0% to about 0.13% and stachyose content from about 0.19% to about 1.6%, along with soybean plants containing a mutant allele designated SG-ULRFO that confers this phenotype and unexpectedly high germination rates.
The problem being addressed is the presence of raffinose and stachyose in soybean seeds, which are anti-nutritional oligosaccharides that monogastric animals cannot digest, leading to reduced metabolizable energy and increased flatulence. These oligosaccharides also restrict the use of soybeans in animal and human diets despite the nutritional value of soybean protein and fiber. Prior approaches failed to provide soybean plants combining ultra-low raffinose and stachyose levels with commercially acceptable germination rates.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering both soybean seeds with defined raffinose and stachyose contents and associated genes, and soybean plants or parts produced from these seeds. The main inventive features relate to specific raffinose and stachyose content ranges, germination rates, and the presence of mutant RS3 and RS4 genes.
Soybean seed with specific low raffinose and stachyose contents and mutant RS3 and RS4 genes
A soybean seed having a raffinose content ranging between 0% to 0.15% by dry or wet weight of the total seed content and a stachyose content less than 0.54% by dry or wet weight of the total seed content, wherein the seed contains an RS3 gene as per SEQ ID NO:3 and an RS4 gene as per SEQ ID NO:6.
Soybean plant or plant part produced from the described seed
A soybean plant or a part thereof, produced by growing the soybean seed that possesses ultra-low raffinose and stachyose contents and contains the mutant RS3 and RS4 genes.
Soybean seed and plant with defined germination rate
A soybean seed as described, wherein the germination rate is at least 83%, and the corresponding soybean plant or part produced from such seed.
Soybean seed containing RS3 and RS4 polypeptides of defined amino acid sequences
A soybean seed comprising an RS3 gene encoding the RS3 polypeptide amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 and an RS4 gene encoding the RS4 polypeptide amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, as well as a plant or plant part produced from the seed.
The claims cover soybean seeds defined by precise ultra-low raffinose and stachyose contents combined with specific mutant RS3 and RS4 gene sequences; soybean plants and parts derived from these seeds; and seeds and plants exhibiting at least 83% germination rates. The inventive focus is on the genetic and phenotypic characteristics that confer the ultra-low oligosaccharide content and improved germination.
Stated Advantages
Soybean seeds with ultra-low raffinose and stachyose can provide improved nutritional quality by reducing anti-nutritional oligosaccharides that monogastric animals cannot digest.
The ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean seeds exhibit unexpectedly increased germination rates compared with conventional lines.
Reduction of raffinose and stachyose can increase the metabolizable energy of animal diets and reduce flatulent production.
Availability of soybean varieties with ultra-low raffinose and stachyose reduces processing costs associated with removal of these oligosaccharides.
Documented Applications
The ultra-low raffinose and stachyose soybean seeds and plants can be used for human food.
They can be used as livestock feed to improve digestibility and energy utilization.
The soybean seeds can serve as raw materials in industry, including for production of soybean oil and protein products.
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