a pink - flowered soybean plant which possesses large seeds and high protein seed content , without a concomitant decrease in yield . the pink - flowered soybean plant is easily distinguished from wild - type and domesticated cultivars by virtue of its unique flower color and appearance . the two commercially significant traits , large seed size and high protein seed content , cosegregate with the pink flower trait . seed size and protein content of soybean cultivars are therefore efficiently and quickly increased by crossing with the pink - flowered plant , then selecting for pink - flowered progeny . prior difficulties in tracking and monitoring increases in seed protein content are eliminated .