This study identified QTLs influencing seed quality characters in a cross o
f two early maturing soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars (Ma.Belle a
nd Proto) adapted to the short growing seasons of Central Europe. A molecul
ar linkage map was constructed by using 113 SSR, 6 RAPD and 1 RFLP markers
segregating in 82 individuals of an F-2 population. The map consists of 23
linkage groups and corresponds well to previously published soybean maps. U
sing phenotypic data of the F-2-derived lines grown in five environments. f
our markers for protein content. three for oil content and eight for seed w
eight were identified. Four from fifteen seed quality QTL-regions identifie
d in the present study were also found by other authors. Markers associated
with seed weight QTLs were consistent across all environments and proved t
o have effects large enough to be useful in a marker-assisted breeding prog
ram, whereas protein and oil QTLs showed environmental interactions.