Advances in Breeding of Seed-Quality Traits in Soybean

SUMMARY Soybean is the leading oil and protein crop of the world, which is used as a source of high quality edible oil, protein, and livestock feed. Soybean seeds also contain carbohydrates, ash and a number of minor compounds with potential nutraceutical properties. For several decades, soybean breeders have focused on improving the oil quality and on increasing the protein content for both feed and human food, such as tofu. Mutation breeding and, more recently, biotechnology, have been used. Newly emerging areas of research and an improved understanding of the genetic control of nutraceutical compounds such as isoflavones, should facilitate the breeding and development of new soybean cultivars with enhanced healthy properties.