This study was carried out to identify how soybean seed protein concentration is influenced by climatic factors. Twelve lines selected for seed protein concentration were studied in 13 environments of North Carolina. Sensitivity of seed protein concentration, total seed protein, and seed yield to climatic variables was investigated using a linear regression model. Best response models were determined using two stepwise selection methods, Maximum R-square and Stepwise Selection. There were wide climatic effects in seed protein concentration, total protein and seed yield. The highest protein concentration environment was characterized by the most high temperature days(HTD) and the smallest variance of average daily temperature range (VADTRg), while the lowest protein concentration environment was distinguished by the fewest HTD and the largest VADTRg. For protein concentration, all lines responded positively to average maximum daily temperature(MxDT), HTD, and average daily temperature range(ADTRg) and negatively to ADRa, while they responded positively or negatively to average daily temperature(ADT), variance of average minimum daily temperature (VMnDT), and VADTRg, indicating that genotypes may greatly differ in degrees of sensitivity to each climatic variable. Eleven lines seemed to have best response models with 2 or 3 variables. Exceptionally, NC106 did not show a significant sensitivity to any climatic variable and thus did not have a best response model. This indicates that it may be considered phenotypically more stable. For total seed protein and seed yield, all the lines responded negatively to both ADTRg and VADRa, suggesting that synthesis of seed components may increase with less daily temperature range and less variation in daily rainfall.

• M. H. Yang(Dept. of Food Resource, Sun Moon Univ) | 양무희
• J. W. Burton(USDA-ARS, Plant Sciences, Raleigh)