High yield is the most important trait in various agricultural characteristics. Many approaches to improve yield have been tried in conventional agricultural practice and recently biotechnological tools employed for same goal. Genetic transformation of key genes to increase yield is one way to overcome current limitation in the field. We are producing transgenic soybean plants through high efficient transformation method by introducing all gene member with AT-hook binding domain, hoping to obtain manageable delay of senescence. Many transgenic soybean plants are growing in greenhouse and GMO field, and will be evaluated their senescence and any association with yield increase.

Major loci controlling flowering time and maturity of short-day plant soybean, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7 and E8, have been identified in soybean. The gene corresponding to E2 locus is a homolog of Arabidopsis GIGANTEA (AtGI). We identified three GI homologs in soybean and are verifying their roles in day-length dependent flowering. Expression anlysis indicated that GmGIs are ubiquitously expressed at all developmental stages of soybean plants. Diurnal expression of GmGIs fluctuates within light/dark cycles of long-day (LD) and short-day (SD). GmGI2 and GmGI3 have identical expression patterns under both day length conditions with the highest peak at zeitgeber time 8 h (ZT8) under LD and at ZT4 under SD. GmGI1 shows the peak at ZT12 under LD and at ZT8 under SD. All of GmGIs exhibit the earlier peak and the shorter phase under SD than LD. The results indicated that day length affects expressions of GmGIs. Subcellular localization analysis showed that GmGIs are mainly targeted to nucleus, similar to the localization of AtGI. Overexpression of GmGIs in Arabidopsis transgenic plants showed no significant effect on flowering time nor rescue of gi-2 mutant phenotype. The results suggested that GmGIs have different molecular functions in flowering time regulation of short-day plant soybean compared to long-day plant Arabidopsis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of GmGIs’ functions in soybean flowering time control, we intend to identify target gene of GmGIs and interacting proteins by using yeast two-hybrid assay.

Soybean is a crop of importance economically and nutritionally in many parts of the world. Thanks to many new genes brought from genomic research, It is possible to introduce various candidate genes through genetic transformation to see the performance of the genes in field. In our lab, soybean transformations have been tried for last 10 years to probe the possibility of traits improvement by transformation of new gene into soybean. For this purpose, three different genes were transformed into Korean soybean variety, Kwangan. First, the gene that controls early flowering of plant was transformed into Kwangan. Second, a candidate gene for soybean mosaic virus (SMV) resistance was transformed to produce transgenic plants. Third, another candidate gene for drought tolerance was transformed. All the transgenic plants from three genes transformation were produced for their gene insertion and their expression using PCR, qRT-PCR. Further analysis including harvesting seeds is currently undertaken.

FT is one of the major floral activator in photoperiod-dependent flowering pathway. To understand the role of FT homologs in flowering time control of short-day plant soybean, we identified ten soybean FT genes and named GmFTs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ten GmFT genes were further categorized into three subclades. Gene expression analysis showed that the most GmFT genes are mainly expressed in leaves. The expression of GmFT2a, GmFT2b, GmFT5a, and GmFT6 was strongly induced under the floral inductive short-day condition, but GmFT4 exhibited opposite expression pattern compared to those of GmFT2a, GmFT2b, GmFT5a, and GmFT6. To understand roles of GmFT genes in flowering, we generated Arabidopsis transgenic plant overexpressing GmFT genes. Both 35S:GmFT2a and 35S:GmFT5a transgenic plants showed extremely early flowering. In contrast, overexpression of GmFT4 delayed flowering of transgenic plants compared to wild type Arabidopsis. The results indicated that GmFT2a and GmFT5a might function as floral activators, while GmFT4 has an opposite function in soybean flowering. Moreover, domain swapping approaches between GmFT2a and GmFT4 revealed that the substitution of the segment B region alone, which is located in 4th exon, was sufficient to change the function of GmFT2a to floral repressor and GmFT4 to floral activator. The results suggested that soybean FT homologs have been functionally diversified during evolution and might play different roles in photoperiod-dependent flowering of soybean.

The β-carotene biofortified transgenic soybean was developed recently through Agrobacterium -mediated transformation using the recombinant PAC (Phytoene synthase-2A-Carotene desaturase) gene in Korean soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Kwangan). GM crops prior to use as food or release into the environment required risk assessments to environment and human health in Korea. Generally, transgenic plants containing a copy of T-DNA were used for stable expression of desirable trait gene in risk assessments. Also, information about integration site of T-DNA can be used to test the hypothesis that the inserted DNA does not trigger production of unintended transgenic proteins, or disrupt plant genes, which may cause the transgenic crop to be harmful. As these reasons, we selected four transgenic soybean lines expressing carotenoid biosynthesis genes with a copy of T-DNA by using Southern blot analysis, and analyzed the integration sites of their T-DNA by using flanking sequence analysis. The results showed that, T-DNA of three transgenic soybean lines (7-1-1-1, 9-1-2, 10-10-1) was inserted within intergenic region of the soybean chromosome, while T-DNA of a transgenic soybean line (10-19-1) located exon region of chromosome 13. This data of integration site and flanking sequences is useful for the biosafety assessment and for the identification of the β-carotene biofortified transgenic soybean.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) is a short day plant and has been adapted to various climates and environments during cultivation. However, the cultivation area is restricted to a very narrow range of latitudes. To date, nine major genes (E1 to E8 and J) have been reported to control the flowering time and maturity. Here, we evaluated the role of E2, E3, E4, and their paralogue genes in late flowering soybean cultivars under long day (LD) conditions using Soybean yellow common mosaic virus (SYCMV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system. A total of nine VIGS constructs were infiltrated into two fully expanded cotyledons and primary leaves. After inoculation with these VIGS constructs on Jangyeobkong, which is a late-flowering cultivar, phenotypic traits were evaluated for the first flowering dates (FFDs) and pod maturities under LD conditions. The FFDs of the silenced plants occurred 50-56 days after sowing (das), while the non-silenced plants bloomed on 60-61 days. We found that the E3 paralogue-silenced plants flowered the fastest and responsive genes were identified to be associated with the promotion of flowering time. As the knock-down of E3 paralogue, expression of E1 was up-regulated, E2 was no difference, E3 and E4 genes were down-regulated in the silenced plants. Expression of GmFT2a and GmFT5a is known to be controlled by E3 and E4. Interestingly, GmFT5a were highly expressed in SYCMV:E3 paralogue-silenced plants, whereas the expression of GmFT2a was not significant. These results support that GmFT5a is able to independently promote flowering under LD conditions.

This experiment was carried out to compare the morphological traits of Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Southeast Asian(SEA) soybeans from RDA genebank. Days to flowering were ranged from 51 to 125 days with an average of 75 days. Those of China were the shortest with an average of 58 days and those of SEA were the longest with an average of 99 days. Growth days were the shortest with 94 days from China, and longest with 188 days from Korea and SEA. The 100 seed weight of soybeans was ranged from 3.4g to 46.4g, with an average 22.2g. The 100 seed weight was the lightest with an average 11.8g from SEA and the heaviest with an average 24.6g from Korea. In growth habit, over 50% of being collected from Korea, Japan and China were erect type, but 94% from SEA were intermediate type. The highest percentage of seed coat color was yellow(66.1%), followed by yellowing green(10.0%). As a result of cotyledon color in 760 black seed was 76.1% with yellow, 23.9% with green. Green cotyledon was much more in Korea(38.6%) and Japan(33.3%) than other countries. One thousand seven accessions from Korea, Japan, China and SEA were analyzed using 7 SSR markers. One hundred eighty alleles were detected with a lowest 16 at the Satt537 and a highest 35 at the Satt390. The average polymorphism information content(PIC) was 0.68, the highest with 0.7 in Japan. Gene diversity was the highest with 0.73 in China and Japan, while the lowest in SEA with 0.68.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] protein is a high quality source for food and feed. But, antinutritional factors in the raw mature soybean are exist. Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) protein of mature soybean seed is a main antinutritional factor in soybean seed. The Le gene controls a lectin protein and Ti gene controls the KTI protein in soybean. Ti locus has been located on molecular linkage group A2 (chromosome 8) of soybean. The y9 type found in T135 is yellow at emergence, becoming greenish-yellow by maturity. Although this type is considered chlorophyll-deficient, it is fairly vigorous in growth. The objective of this research was to exam an agronomic traits of y9ti genotype selected from the breeding line. The seeds of y9ti genotype were planted in the field. Traits of maturity date, seed weight, and seed coat color were checked.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed is one of the major food sources for protein, oil, carbohydrates, isoflavones, and many other nutrients to humans and animals. Trans-resveratrol produced by plants is a polyphenol phytoalexin and displays a wide range of biological effects like as anti-cancer activities, cardio- protective properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, neuroprotective, antidiabetic and phytoestrogenic properties. Content of trans-resveratrol in soybean seed may depend on genotype and environment. Genotype with high trans-resveratrol content is valuable in breeding project. One hundred eighty three soybean genotypes were cultivated in the field. After harvesting, trans-resveratrol content was analyzed. Content (ug/g) of trans-resveratrol was from 0.199 to 5.447. Thirty genotypes with high trans-resveratrol content were selected.

Foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), is a Hemipteran insect that infected a wide variety of plants worldwide and caused serious yield losses in crops. The objective of this study was to identify the putative QTL for foxglove aphid resistance in wild soybean, PI 366121, (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.). One hundred and forty one F2-derived F8 recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross of susceptible Williams 82 and resistant PI 366121, were used. The phenotyping of antibiosis and antixenosis was done through choice and no-choice assays with total plant damage (TPD) and primary infestation leaf damage (PLD); a genome-wide molecular linkage map was constructed with 504 single nucleotide polymorphism markers utilizing a GoldenGate assay. Using inclusive composite interval mapping analysis for foxglove aphid resistance, one major candidate QTL on chromosome 7 and 3 minor QTL regions on chromosome 3, 6 and 18 were identified. The major QTL on chromosome 7 showed both antixenosis and antibiosis resistance responses. However, the minor QTLs showed only antixenosis resistance response. The major QTL mapped to a different chromosome than the previously identified foxglove aphid resistance QTL, Raso1, from the cultivar Adams. Also, the responses to the Korea biotype foxglove aphid were different for Raso1, and the gene from PI 366121 against the Korea biotype foxglove aphid were different. Thus the foxglove aphid resistance gene from PI 366121 was determined to be an independent gene to Raso1 and designated to Raso2. This result could be useful in breeding for new foxglove aphid resistant soybean cultivars.

Shoot-fresh-weight (SFW) is one of the parameters, used to estimate the total plant biomass yield in soybean. Understanding the genetic and molecular basis of SFW could help increase the total biomass production. In this particular study, we identified QTLs associated with SFW in a Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population derived from interspecific cross of PI483463 and Hutcheson. A total of 551 (535 SNP and 16 SSR) markers, were found to be polymorphic between the parental lines and were used to screen the RILs to develop the genetic map. Linkage analysis and QTL mapping were performed using with the software QTL IciMapping version 4.0, with the minimum LOD score of 3.0 and estimating the likelihood of a QTL and its corresponding effects at every 1cM. QTLs with LOD value > threshold LOD, as determined by 1000 permutation tests at p > 0.05 were considered as significant QTLs. The analysis identified a total of 5 QTLs associated with shoot fresh weight over two environments, with the phenotypic variation (PV) ranging from 6.34 to 21.32%, and the additive effect from -0.54 to 0.33. Among these QTLs, qFW1314_19_1 had the largest LOD scores, with PV of 21.32%. Interestingly, three QTLs, qFW2013_19_1, qFW2014_19_1, and qFW1314_19_1 identified on chromosome 19(L), showed negative additive effects, indicating the contribution from the wild parent PI483463. The QTLs identified in this study can be the targets to identify the candidate genes for the SFW and can help in developing cultivars with increased biomass potential.

Foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), is a Hemipteran insect that infected a wide variety of plants worldwide and caused serious yield losses in crops. The foxglove aphid resistance gene, Raso2 was previously mapped from PI 366121 (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) to a 26cM marker interval on soybean chromosome 7. The development of additional genetic markers, which are mapped closer to Raso2 were required to accurately position the gene to improve the effectiveness of marker assisted selection. The objective of this study was to narrow down the putative QTL region, which is responsible to foxglove aphid resistance in PI366121 using recently developed high-density 180K Axiom SoyaSNP genotyping array. One hundred and forty one F8-derived F12 recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross of susceptible Williams 82 and resistant PI 366121, were used to generate a fine map of Raso2 interval. The phenotyping of antibiosis and antixenosis was done through choice and no-choice assays with total plant damage (TPD) and primary infestation leaf damage (PLD). The composite interval mapping analysis showed that the physical interval between two flanking makers, which was corresponding to Raso2, was narrowed down to 500kb on the Williams 82 genome assembly (Glyma2.0), instead of 4Mb in the previous report using Goldengate assay. In the Raso2 interval, there are about 60 candidate genes, including 4 of NBS-containing putative R genes. This result could be useful in breeding for new foxglove aphid resistant soybean cultivars.

Seed weight (SW), often expressed as 100-seed weight (HSW), is an important yield component in soybean and has been found to show positive correlation with seed yield. It is shown to behave as a quantitative trait controlled by many loci that are largely unclear. In this study, we represent the identification of chromosomal regions controlling the seed weight in soybean. We used a Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population, consisting of 188 lines derived from a cross of a wild soybean PI483463 (HSW: 0.85g) and a cultivated soybean cultivar Hutcheson (HSW: 14.05g) to identify the chromosomal regions controlling the SW trait. The population, along with parental samples and check, William82 (HSW: 21.2g) was grown for four years and phenotype data was recorded postharvest. A total of 535 SNP and 16 SSR markers, polymorphic between the parents were employed to genotype the RILs using Golden gate assay to develop the linkage map. Whole genome QTL scanning identified a total of 17 QTLs, spanning 10 chromosomes for the 100-seed weight. All these QTLs explained phenotypic variation (PV) in the range of 3.77 to 12.33%. Of the 17 QTLs, 2 QTLs qSWA1-1 and qSWD2-1, found to be the consistent QTLs, expressing in all the four environments. The QTL qSWD2-1 explained highest contribution to the total PV with 10.04 -12.23 %. The remaining 15 QTLs were identified in at least one environment with PV ranging up to 10.39%. The findings from this study will provide useful information to understand the genetic and molecular basis of SW and facilitate further genomic research leading to the yield improvements in soybean.

The depletion of stratospheric ozone has resulted in increased amount of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B: 280-320 nm) reaching the Earth’s surface and could cause significant biological effect in plants. In this study, putative quantitative trait loci (QTL), which is responsible to UV-B resistance in soybean, was identified using recently developed high-density 180K Axiom SoyaSNP genotyping array. A population of 115 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between susceptible Keunolkong and resistant Iksan 10 was analyzed. A total 8,970 polymorphic SNP markers were used to construct linkage map. The both parents and RILs were grown with supplemental UV-B radiation in a greenhouse condition. Three categories of UV-B induced morphological damage, degree of leaf chlorosis, leaf shape change, and total plant damage were evaluated. Using composite interval mapping analysis, one major QTL associated with all of the phenotypic traits was detected on 7.7cM of soybean chromosome 7 with 22 of LOD score accounting for about 60% of phenotypic variance. Also, the allele from Iksan 10 were responsible for the UV-B resistance. Thus, the UV-B resistance QTL on chromosome 7 from Iksan 10 was designated to qUVBR1, corresponding to 30kb on the Williams 82 genome assembly (Glyma2.0) including 7 candidate genes. This result could be useful in breeding for new foxglove aphid resistant soybean cultivars. In addition, these results provided useful information not only for marker-assisted selection for UV-B resistance soybean, but also for the future identification of putative candidate genes, responsible for UV-B resistance in soybean.

본 연구과제의 목적은 1) 양질 다수성 콩 기술 이전, 2) 양질 다수성 콩 품종 출원, 3) 고밀도 유전자지도 작성을 통한 다수성관련 QTL 동정 및 다수성 형질 연관 마커 개발, 4) 콩 품종 판별 마커 개발, 5) 기능성 콩 가공식품 개발이다. 이를 위해 당해연도는 양질 다수성 콩 품종 육성을 위한 생산력 검정 및 지역적응성 검정을 실시하고 초다수성 우량 계통 육성을 위해 1단계 사업에서 선발된 우량 계통들을 지속적으로 세대진전하고자 한다. 특히 다수성관련 형질연관 QTL 동정을 위해 길육69 x SS0404-T5-76 RIL 집단(400계통)을 육성하였고 이 집단을 이용한 고밀도 유전자지도 작성하고자 한다. 먼저 모부본 염기서열 변이 탐색 및 RIL들의 다수성 형질 표현형을 조사할 것이다. 한편, 품종보호 및 종자순도 관리에 있어서 중요한 분자 마커 개발을 위해 주요품종들에 대한 SSR 마커 분석을 실시하였다. 당해연도에는 1단계 사업에서 개발된 ‘CJ행복한1호’ 콩 품종 육성을 위한 채종포를 제주도와 괴산 등지에 조성하며 두부 장류용 우량 계통 SS408-T5-99 에 대한 제품 생산 가능성 분석하고 장류발효과정 중 아이소플라본의 성분 변화를 분석할 것이다.

저온건조한 늦가을에 제조되는 한국식전통장류와는 달리 우즈베키스탄에서 한식장류는 보통 건조하고 높은 기온의 여름에 제조된다. 우즈베키스탄 시중 고려인에 의해 만들어진 된장 9종을 수집하여 품질특성을 분석하고자 protease활성, amylase활성, 아미노태 질소 함량, 환원당 함량 및 일반세균수를 조사하였다. 그 결과, 일반 세균 수는 7.24~8.79 Log CFU/g 범위의 값을 타나 내었다. Protease활성의 경우 3.98.28~832.57 unit/g 범위로 다양한 값을 나타내었고, CON에 비해 우즈베키스탄 시판 장류가 높은 protease활성을 나타내었다. Amylase 활성은 C(10.82 unit/g)를 제외한 나머지 장류가 CON에 비해 높은 활성도를 보였다. 그중에서도 UK-SP I(47.98 unit/g) 장류가 유의적으로 가장 높은 활성을 나타냈다. 아미노태 질소 함량을 측정한 결과 protease의 활성이 높았던 시료 B(832.57 unit/g), D(807.81 unit/g), H(630.67 unit/g) 에서는 아미노태 질소 함량 또한 높게 나타나는 경향을 보였다. 환원당 함량을 측정한 결과 0.95~3.43%/g 의 범위를 나타냈으며, D와 E가 3.39%/g 와 3.43%/g의 함량을 보여 환원당 함량이 가장 높게 측정되었다. 결론적으로, 우즈베키스탄 장류는 저온저습의 늦은 가을에 제조되는 한국의 장과 매우 다른 환경인 고온저습에서 자연발효로 제조되었음에도 불구하고, 비교적 한국식 장과 매우 유사한 품질특성을 가졌다. 한국에서 유래되어 고려인에 의해 계승되고 있는 장류의 미생물학적 관점 및 식문화적인 관점의 연구가 지속적으로 이루어 져야 되겠다.

Next generation sequencing technologies provide opportunities to reveal the genetic variants and differentially expressedgenes. The genetic variants are closely relevance to understanding of genes and phenotypic differences related to agronomic characteristics among cultivars. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq using two Korean soybean accessions, including Daewon and Hwangkeum, by using next generation sequencing against Williams 82 genome as reference. A number of variants such assingle nucleotide variants (SNV), multiple nucleotide variants (MNV), insertion/deletion (InDel) and replacement, was 34,411 and 55,544 in Daewon and Hwangkeum, respectively. Among these variants, 9,611 nonsynonymous variants were detected within 4,290 genes in Daewon and 13,225 non-synonymous variants were located on 5,672 genes in Hwangkeum. The distribution of nonsynonymous variants and expression values of genes can serve as invaluable resource for genotyping and study of traits within genes for soybean improvements.

The β-carotene biofortified transgenic soybean was developed recently through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the recombinant PAC (Phytoene synthase-2A-Carotene desaturase) gene in Korean soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Kwangan). GM crops prior to use as food or release into the environment required risk assessments to environment and human health in Korea. Generally, transgenic plants containing a copy of T-DNA were used for stable expression of desirable trait gene in risk assessments. Also, information about integration site of T-DNA can be used to test the hypothesis that the inserted DNA does not trigger production of unintended transgenic proteins, or disrupt plant genes, which may cause the transgenic crop to be harmful. As these reasons, we selected four transgenic soybean lines expressing carotenoid biosynthesis genes with a copy of T-DNA by using Southern blot analysis, and analyzed the integration sites of their T-DNA by using flanking sequence analysis. The results showed that, T-DNA of three transgenic soybean lines (7-1-1-1, 9-1-2, 10-10-1) was inserted within intergenic region of the soybean chromosome, while T-DNA of a transgenic soybean line (10-19-1) located exon region of chromosome 13. This data of integration site and flanking sequences is useful for the biosafety assessment and for the identification of the β-carotene biofortified transgenic soybean.

본 연구는 대두 부산물인 순물과 침지수가 고지방 식이에 의 해 비만이 유도된 마우스의 지방 제거에 미치는 영향을 조사하 였다. 침지수가 포함된 일반 사료를 섭이한 실험군의 체중 및 간 과 부고환 지방 조직 내 지방 축적은 현저히 적은 것으로 나타났 으며, 복부 내 내장 지방과 피하지방도 크게 발달하지 않은 것으 로 나타나 침지수는 체내 축적된 지방량을 효과적으로 감소시 키는 것으로 조사되었다. 침지수 식이군의 혈중 AST와 ALT의 활성은 대조군 수준으로 유지되었으며, 콜레스테롤 함량과 중 성 지질 농도가 감소되는 것으로 나타나 침지수가 고지방 식이 로 인한 혈중 효소 활성과 지질농도를 개선하는 것으로 조사되 었다. 특히 침지수는 metabolic sensor 단백질인 AMPK와 ACC 의 인산화를 촉진시켜 체내 지방산 산화에 영향을 주는 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 침지수는 복부 내 피하지방과 내장지방의 축 적을 억제하는 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 대두 부산물 중 침지 수는 비만이 유도된 마우스의 혈중 지질 함량을 개선할 뿐만 아 니라 체내 조직의 지방 축적을 완화시키거나 제거하는 데 효과 적일 것으로 사료된다.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of pre-germination soaking on germination in 90 Korean soybean varieties and identification of protein in seeds of 7 soybean varieties. The results obtained that germination rate of soybean seeds was decreased as amount of soaking water and soaking duration in number of days. Difference in germination rate of soybean seeds was significant at three days soaking with water volume of 90 ml. Water absorption of seeds was rapidly increased during the first 6 hours, followed by slow increase until 24 hours and then decreased 24 to 48 hours after soaking soybean varieties for bean sprout soaked the lowest amount of water, while soybean varieties for cooking with rice showed the lowest seed water content. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in soaking water was rapidly decreased during the first 3 hours after soaking, and then slowly decreased. Soybean varieties for vegetable and early maturity showed the lowest DO during early soaking periods, but showed higher DO after 24 hours than other groups of soybean varieties. Electrical conductivity and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) were increased as number of soaking days increased. Soybean varieties for vegetable and early maturity showed the highest electrical conductivity and TDS, followed by those for sauce and paste or cooking with rice, while showed the lowest electrical conductivity and TDS, varieties for bean sprout. Among 90 Korean soybean varieties, varieties which showed the highest germination rate were Jangsu-kong for sauce and paste, Sobaegnamul-kong for bean sprout, Seonheuk-kong for cooking with rice, Seunnokkong for vegetable and early maturity. On the ather hand varieties which showed the lowest germination rate were Iksan and Songhak-kong for sauce and paste, Pangsa-kong for bean sprout, Jinyeul-kong for cooking with rice, Sinlok-kong for vegetable and early maturity. Germination rates of soybean seeds were higher when electrical conductivity, TDS and water absorption of seeds were lower. There were negative correlations between electrical conductivity, TDS and water absorption of seeds and germination rate, while there were positive correlations among electrical conductivity, TDS and soybean seed weight.