Genetic mechanisms underlying the expansion of soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. cultivation to the north

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is produced in 93 countries of the world on 120.5 million hectares. The production area crop located between 56N. (Russian Federation) and 35-37S (Argentina). In gene pool crop, there a wide variety genotypes different maturity groups, which every has relatively narrow latitudinal adaptability, depends heat moisture supply duration photoperiod. An urgent problem our time creation early maturated varieties allow to expand soybean cultivation north. 12 major loci (E1E11 J) have been identified, control flowering initiation response maturation, photothermal and, ultimately, adaptation latitudes also depend various allelic combinations interaction these loci. All mapped, for some them genes their diversity characterized mechanisms functioning described. But molecular-genetic nature not yet revealed detail. This review presents current understanding structure molecular genetic determinants soybean, regulate timing its maturation at photoperiods influence other plant traits, including type growth productivity. As result, an idea optimal genotype northern was proposed, with combination alleles providing earliest regions long day.