Nodule development was regulated partially by host plant factors originating in the shoots and roots. This study was performed to identify the origin of the factors regulating nodulation in supernodulating soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) mutant 'SS2-2' which was isolated recently from ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis of 'Sinpaldalkong 2'. Self- and reciprocal-grafts were made among three soybean genotypes which consisted of two supernodulating mutants, SS2-2 and 'nts 382', and a normal nodulating Sinpaldalkong 2. Self-grafted supernodulating mutants were characterized by greater nodule number, nodule dry weight, and C2 H2 reduction activity than self-grafted wild types. They were also characterized by relatively higher nodule to root dry weight. Significant shoot genotypic effects were observed on nodule number, nodule dry weight, and C2~;H2 reduction activity per plant, whereas varying root genotypes had no effects. From this result, it is surmised that supernodulating characters are controlled by a graft-transmissible shoot factor, and mutant SS2-2 may have similar nodulation mechanism to the former supernodulating nts 382. In all grafts, both supernodulating mutants and Sinpaldalkong 2 maintained the similar balance between above ground and below ground parts regardless of significant differences in partitioning of dry matter into root and nodule between supernodulating mutants and Sinpaldalkong 2.

• Hong-Suk Lee
• Yong-Wook Kim
• Eui-Ho Park