Genetic analysis of seed coat and flower color based on a soybean nested association mapping population

Nested Association Mapping（NAM） population is widely applied in genetic study and breeding practice in many crops.A NAM panel was constructed by crossing of 35 parental lines with the common maternal lines（Zhongdou 41） based on previous evaluation of soybean germplasm. Principle component analysis and clustering analysis showed that clear genetic structure was observed between subpanel of RIL populations. Genetic analysis was performed on flower color and seed coat color in NAM subpanel with significant difference between paternal and maternal parents, and we found that q FC13-1 was significantly associated with flower color, which coincided with the W1 locus. Twelve loci identified were significantly correlated with seed coat color, among which nine loci were co-located by more than three methods, and the other three loci were colocated by two methods, including four reported loci and eight novel loci. In conclusion, NAM population was suitable for genetic analysis of soybean,which provided material basis fo