本研究利用自然群体（281份资源）和重组自交系群体（270份家系），在不同磷素处理条件下分别评价其T₁（四叶期，苗期）和T₂（六叶期，花期）两个需磷关键时期11个磷素利用相关性状。结果发现，200个SNPs与磷素利用相关性状显著关联，其中包括91个T1期SNPs和109个T2期SNPs；这些SNPs中，12号染色体关联SNP簇（s715611375、ss715611377、ss715611379、ss715611380）在低磷处理条件下与T1期的株高显著关联，其优势单倍型株高显著优于其它单倍型；10号染色体SNP簇（ss715606501、ss715606506、s715606543）在低磷处理下与T₂期根冠比、根系干重和总干重显著关联，其优势单倍型相关性状亦显著优于其它单倍型。进一步分析发现，4个SNPs（ss715597964、ss715607012、ss715622173和ss715602331）在低磷条件下与T₁和T₂期相关性状共关联；同时发现，12个重组自交系群体连锁QTLs与关联位点一致。基于此，筛选出14个在低磷胁迫下差异表达候选基因，其中包括MYB转录因子、紫色酸性磷酸酶、糖转运蛋白和热激蛋白家族基因等。上述遗传位点与候选基因为大豆磷素利用效率遗传改良提供了选择标记及基因。

GmPHR1 from soybean (Glycine max) was isolated and characterized. This novel homolog of the AtPHR1 transcription factor confers tolerance to inorganic phosphate (Pi)-starvation. The gene is 2751 bp long, with an 819-bp open reading frame and five introns. Analysis of transcription activity in yeast revealed that the full-length GmPHR1 and its C-terminal activate the reporter genes for His, Ade and Ura, suggesting that the C-terminal peptide functions as a transcriptional activator. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that patterns of GmPHR1 expression differed. For example, under low-Pi stress, this gene was quickly induced in the tolerant JD11 after 0.5 h, with expression then decreasing slowly before peaking at 12-24 h. By contrast, induction in the sensitive Niumaohuang (NMH) was slow, peaking at 6 h before decreasing quickly at 9 h. GmPHR1 showed sub-cellular localization in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells and Arabidopsis roots. Growth parameters in wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis plants as well as in overexpression (OE) transgenic lines were examined. Under low-Pi conditions, values for shoot, root and whole-plant dry weights, root to shoot ratios, and lengths of primary roots were significantly greater in OE lines than in the WT. These data demonstrate that GmPHR1 has an important role in conferring tolerance to phosphate starvation.