Three new giant soybeans with multiple uses–for grazing, hay or silage over a wide geographic area–have been bred by ARS scientists. Derry, Donegal and Tyrone are the first improved forage-type soybean cultivars bred for animal feed. The varieties differ in maturity dates, disease resistance and in areas where they will grow best. Donegal is suited to the Northeast. Derry is ideal for the Midwest and Tyrone is best for the South. Work on the new soybeans began with crossing an old hay type with modern grain cultivars. Scientists later made selections for plant height, branching, lodging resistance, pod set and leafiness. The new plants grow 6 feet high and have exceptional vigor. In tests in several states through 1996, the forage soybeans produced over 6 tons of dry matter per acre–about 75 percent more than conventional soybeans. In tests in Maryland, Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa, New York and Wisconsin, the new varieties ranked high in nutrient composition and quality. Last spring, seeds were shipped to 19 states from New York to Texas for performance testing. ARS has obtained plant variety protection for the new soybeans. Weed Science Laboratory, Beltsville, MD Tom Devine, (301) 504-6375

A new high-yielding pinto bean that resists some of the crop's worst diseases will soon be available to growers.ARS and Washington State University scientists developed, tested and released the new pinto bean called Burke. In field tests at 40 locations in the Northwest, Burke outperformed eight other competing pinto lines from the national Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery collection. In tests in the Northern Great Plains, Burke's yields were up to 12 percent higher than two industry standards, Othello and Sierra. One reason: Burke is a cross between the two cultivars, so it possesses many desirable features of both. Burke resists several virulent fungi and viruses, including curly top virus, bean common mosaic virus and necrosis virus. When conditions are just right, the latter two can cause losses as high as 40 percent. Burke also resists key races of the rust fungus common in Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, eastern Colorado and other bean- growing states. A fast, sprawling root system also enables Burke to withstand attack by soilborne fungi that cause root rots. Burke grows as a semi-erect plant and produces large pinto seeds that maintain their color, texture and taste during canning and storage. Scientists have applied for plant variety protection as Burke goes into commercial production this summer. This should help certify the cultivar's genetic purity. Vegetable and Forage Crops Production Research, Prosser, WA Phillip Miklas, (509) 786-3454, pmiklas@tricity.wsu.edu

Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD J. Rennie Stavely, (301) 504-6600

Breeders and nurseries who want more from their maples may want to catch the Red Rocket, a fiery-red maple cultivar just released by scientists with the U.S. National Arboretum Also available: New World, an orange-red maple that is tailor-made for city landscaping. Both trees have resistance to cold and the maple leafhopper. For cold, New World can withstand temperatures as low as -30° F; Red Rocket can survive -40° F. Red Rocket's columnar shape and cold resistance make it an ideal line of defense against bad weather around barns, livestock shelters and park patios. New World branches up and out–a shape well-suited to growing along city streets in the northeastern United States. These new cultivars will be available in the retail markets in 2001. Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, Glenn Dale, MD A.M. Townsend, (301) 344-4175, nadt@ars-grin.gov

Last Updated: April 29, 1998
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