Mission:
The mission of the Soybean and Biological Nitrogen Fixation Research Unit is: 1) to develop new or improved selection methodology based upon genetic theory of quantitatively inherited traits; 2) to develop germplasm with superior characteristics for agronomically important traits; 3) to determine biochemical and genetic basis for the improvement of seed protein and oil; 4) to establish a soybean breeding program for water-stress tolerance; 5) to develop basic information on whole plant carbon and nitrogen metabolism in response to genetic, physiological, and environmental factors; 6) to quantify the genetic and pathological basis for the biological regulation of certain diseases and crop pests; 7) to investigate the nature of genotype x Rhizobium strain x environmental interaction; 8) to investigate unique nitrogen fixation mechanisms, develop recombinant DNA methodology, and expand pertinent efforts in the area of genetic engineering.