Location: Crop Genetics Research
Project Number: 6066-21220-014-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: May 16, 2018
End Date: May 15, 2023
Objective:
Objective 1. Develop and release novel, genetically diverse soybean germplasm with improved yield, seed quality, and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses that are well suited for sustainable production, especially in the southern United States.
Objective 2. Identify and characterize traits and genes influencing soybean plant health and physiology, including seed quality and agronomic traits in southern U.S. environments, and develop breeder-friendly selection methodologies.
Sub-Objective 2.A. Determine the inheritance and genomic location of new genes influencing or affecting resistance to Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) and investigate the effect of PSD on seed composition.
Sub-Objective 2.B. Determine the inheritance and genomic location of new genes influencing or affecting heat-tolerant seed production and investigate the effect of heat stress on seed composition and quality.
Objective 3. Conserve available soybean genetic resources and maintain genetic integrity within the southern USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection, as well as characterize and evaluate new accessions.
Objective 4. Plan, manage and coordinate the Uniform Soybean Tests - Southern States, including seed distribution, data compilation and analysis, and timely publication of phenotypic information useful for selection and generation advancement.
Approach:
The long-term objective of this project is to develop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm that will ameliorate the adverse effects of biotic and abiotic stresses in order to increase seed yield, yield stability, and seed quality in the mid-southern U.S. The research of the five scientists assigned to the project emphasizes identification and development of disease resistant germplasm and heat tolerant germplasm with a focus on seed quality and composition. The inheritance of disease and heat related traits will be determined and the underlying genes controlling tolerance/resistance molecularly mapped. These traits will be combined with other disease resistance, quality and physiological traits into high-yielding adapted germplasm. Where possible exotic germplasm will be incorporated into new germplasm to increase genetic diversity. Newly developed germplasm will be fully characterized and relationships of traits to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses elucidated. Physiological, pathological and molecular methodologies and techniques will be developed or refined to characterize complex soybean traits. Seed for maturity groups V-VIII in the USDA soybean germplasm collection will be maintained and new accessions evaluated and characterized. We will coordinate regional testing of new public soybean breeding lines, analyze data and publish results annually.
