<i>GmHs1-1</i> and <i>GmqHS1</i> Simultaneously Contribute to the Domestication of Soybean Hard-Seededness

Seed physical dormancy (hard-seededness) is an interesting ecological phenomenon and important agronomic trait. The loss of seed coat impermeability/hard-seededness is a key target trait during the domestication of leguminous crops which allows seeds to germinate rapidly and uniformly. In this study, we examined the mutation of quantitative trait locus (QTL) genes, <i>GmHs1-1</i> and <i>GmqHS1</i>, in 18 wild soybean (<i>G. soja</i>) and 23 cultivated soybean (<i>G. max</i>) accessions. The sequencing results indicate that a G-to-T substitution in <i>GmqHS1</i> and a C-to-T substitution in <i>GmHs1-1</i> occurred in all 23 cultivated soybean accessions but not in any of the 18 wild soybean accessions. The mutations in the two genes led to increased seed coat permeability in cultivated soybean. Therefore, we provide evidence that two genes, <i>GmHs1-1</i> and <i>GmqHS1</i>, simultaneously contribute to the domestication of hard-seededness in soybeans. This finding is of great significance for genetic analysis and improved utilization of the soybean hard-seededness trait.