High temperature has been identified as a primary environmental factor limiting soybean yield. The most plausible solution is developing soybean genotypes with heat-tolerance, which is constrained by complex genetics of this trait and unavailability of molecular markers to track it through generations in a breeding program. This research project is a step forward, validating the use of the heat-induced expression level changes in the soybean Fatty Acid Desaturase (FAD) genes in tolerant genotypes as markers of heat tolerance, endorsing the relationship between the FAD genes and heat tolerance and directing use of single or various combinations of mutations to breed heat-tolerance in adapted soybean genotypes. The development of the desired tools will hasten the breeding for heat-tolerance in soybean.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents, soybean breeders, seed companies