Registration of USDA-N7004 soybean germplasm with good yield, elevated seed protein and 25% exotic pedigree from Tamahikari

Authors: McNeece, Brandon; Bagherzadi, Laleh; Carter Jr, Thomas; Mian, Rouf

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Registrations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2020
Publication Date: 5/26/2020
Citation: Mcneece, B.T., Bagherzadi, L., Carter Jr, T.E., Mian, R.M. 2020. Registration of USDA-N7004 soybean germplasm with good yield, elevated seed protein and 25% exotic pedigree from Tamahikari. Journal of Plant Registrations. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20039.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20039

Interpretive Summary: Low meal protein and low genetic diversity of U.S. soybean cultivars are the two most important challenges to soybean scientists. USDA-N7004 (Reg. No. CV-…, PI XXX) is a conventional late maturity group VII soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm with good yield potential, elevated seed protein content and 25% exotic pedigree from Japanese cultivar ‘Tamahikari’ (PI 423897). Tamahikari is not a part of the current genetic base of U.S. soybean. USDA-N7004, experimental number N10-711, was derived from a cross of USDA-ARS breeding lines NTCPR01-163 (‘Dillon’ x Tamahikari) and N03-832. USDA-N7004 was jointly released as a non-GM germplasm by the USDA-ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in September 2019. Across 27 environments of the USDA Uniform Soybean Tests-Southern States (Uniform Tests), USDA-N7004 yielded 97 and 94% of elite checks ‘N7003CN’ and ‘NC-Wilder’, respectively. Over 20 environments of United Soybean Board Southern Diversity Yield Trials (Diversity Trials), USDA-N7004 yielded 98 and 94% of the same two checks, respectively. In the Uniform Tests, seed protein content of USDA-N7004 (421 g kg-1) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than N7003CN and NC-Wilder (405 and 399 g kg -1, respectively). In the Diversity Trials, seed protein content of USDA-N7004 (421 g kg-1) was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the same checks (400 and 401 g kg-1, respectively). The meal protein content of USDA-N7004 (49%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than N7003CN or NC-Wilder (47%) in the Uniform Tests, as well as in the Diversity Trials. USDA-N7004 should be a good resource to address the challenges of low meal protein and low genetic diversity in U.S. soybean cultivars.

Technical Abstract: USDA-N7004 (Reg. No. CV-…, PI XXX) is a conventional late maturity group VII soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm with good yield potential, elevated seed protein content and 25% exotic pedigree from Japanese cultivar ‘Tamahikari’ (PI 423897). Tamahikari is not a part of the current genetic base of U.S. soybean. USDA-N7004, experimental number N10-711, was derived from a cross of USDA-ARS breeding lines NTCPR01-163 (‘Dillon’ x Tamahikari) and N03-832. USDA-N7004 was jointly released as a non-GM germplasm by the USDA-ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in September 2019. Across 27 environments of the USDA Uniform Soybean Tests-Southern States (Uniform Tests), USDA-N7004 yielded 97 and 94% of elite checks ‘N7003CN’ and ‘NC-Wilder’, respectively. Over 20 environments of United Soybean Board Southern Diversity Yield Trials (Diversity Trials), USDA-N7004 yielded 98 and 94% of the same two checks, respectively. In the Uniform Tests, seed protein content of USDA-N7004 (421 g kg-1) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than N7003CN and NC-Wilder (405 and 399 g kg -1, respectively). In the Diversity Trials, seed protein content of USDA-N7004 (421 g kg-1) was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the same checks (400 and 401 g kg-1, respectively). The meal protein content of USDA-N7004 (49%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than N7003CN or NC-Wilder (47%) in the Uniform Tests, as well as in the Diversity Trials. USDA-N7004 should be a useful parent in breeding programs aimed at broadening the genetic base of soybean along with improving seed protein and seed yield.