The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) has the potential
to improve the efficiency of selection for polygenic traits in a plant
breeding program. In this study a soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., po
pulation derived from the cross of 'Young' and PI 416937 was evaluated
with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers to ident
ify QTL related to plant height, lodging, and maturity. One hundred-tw
enty F-4-derived lines were evaluated for segregation at 155 RFLP loci
. Field data were obtained in four different locations in 1994 (Athens
and Plains, GA, and Windblow and Plymouth, NC). The genetic map consi
sted of 137 RFLP loci which converged into 31 linkage groups and cover
ed more than 1600 centimorgan (cM). By means of single-factor analysis
of variance, 11 independent markers associated with plant height and
the eight with lodging explained most of the genetic variability for t
hese traits in combined analysis over locations. Of the 11 RFLP marker
s associated with plant height and the eight with lodging, only two ma
rkers for plant height (Blt043 and A063a) and one for lodging (A169) w
ere detected in all locations, indicating either the inconsistency of
these molecular markers across locations or the inability to detect pu
tative QTL with the population size of 120 lines. However, good agreem
ent of QTL across locations was found for maturity. Five markers were
identified that explained variation in mean maturity over three locati
ons, four of which were associated with maturity in all three location
s. Results from this research indicate the level of consistency of QTL
across environments is trait specific.