Soybean MAGIC Population:A Novel Resource for Genetics and Plant Breeding

The acronym MAGIC that stands for ‘multiparent advanced generation intercross’ is a powerful next generation mapping population to precisely map the agronomically important quantitative trait loci. An eight parent based soybean MAGIC population was developed by employing 2-way, 4-way and 8-way intercross hybridization. The aim was to obtain MAGIC-derived breeding lines with higher yield, broader genetic base, increased diversity and variability. The 8-way and 4-way intercross hybrids so developed in the present study will be evaluated for their yield potential in the subsequent generation under changing climatic conditions (F₂–F₈ generation).