Evaluation of the general qualitative traits of soybean seeds using IR-spectrometry

The purpose of this work is development of calibrating models for IR-analyzer MATRIX-I for evaluation of the general soybean traits in whole seeds because it is very important for breeders as it helps to save very valuable seeds for breeding works. Researches were conducted in the laboratory of biochemistry of VNIIMK. There were used seeds produced by the soybean department, the laboratory of soybean crop management, the experimental stations of VNIIMK and other organizations in 2014-2015. Protein, oil and TIA contents were determined in accordance to official regulations. Spectra were registered according to a manual for OPUS software in spectral range 3500-12500 сm-1 with a resolution 16 сm-1 on IR-analyzer MATRIX-I by Bruker Optics (Germany). Share of protein, oil and moisture is more than 70% of all substances, and activity of trypsin inhibitors as safety indicator has an important meaning for soybean seeds. Thus, they are the main indicators of soybean seeds quality. To calibrate IR-analyzer a lot consisting of 206 samples of soybean seeds were used, the seeds had a maximally possible variation range on protein content - 32.2-46.6%, oil content - 17.4-26.1% and TIA content - 14.2-32.3 mg per g. An error of determination of protein, oil and TIA contents in calibrating models for IR-spectrometry increases insignificant the standard method. The calibrating models for determination of contents of the seeds general qualitative traits in cuvette with diameter 51 mm (subsample 20-30 g) were developed. This allows quickly and efficiently evaluating seeds for breeding - more than 100 samples per a working shift. It became possible to analyze seeds of varietal samples from a breeding nursery and individually selected plants saving valuable breeding seeds. When selecting a sample for analysis it is necessary to mix carefully a middle sample, and for senior nurseries - to select samples in two repetitions and average the results.