cDNA-AFLP analyses between black and yellow soybean seed coats

Some soybean genotypes have black seed coat, which are semi-permeable to water, less susceptible to mechanical damages, less affected by weather adversities, deterioration by humidity and pathogen occurrence. Identifying structures and proteins that are responsible for these characteristics can help the development of varieties with higher seed quality. cDNA-AFLP analyses were used to isolate cDNA fragments differentially expressed between soybean seed coats from two contrasting genotypes, the BC (one soybean isoline, with black seed coat ) and the YC (the commercial cultivar CD-202, with yellow seed coat). cDNA-AFLP analysis revealed 47 cDNA fragments differentially expressed between these genotypes, 25 from BC genotype and 22 from YC genotype. Fragments present just in BC genotype were recovered from the gel, cloned and sequenced. This approach allowed the identification of putative proteins related to soybean seed coat characteristics. The characterization of these proteins can help to explain the phenotypical differences in soybean seed coats from BC and YC genotypes.