Database Research Summaries2018 Soybean breeding and genetic improvement for Michigan environments
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to develop soybean varieties with improved agronomic traits (such as high yield and resistance to major diseases or insects) and quality traits (such as high protein, special fatty acid compositions, and food uses) for Michigan.
Objectives
- Develop new soybean varieties with high yield and/or with resistance to one or more of the following diseases or insects: white mold, soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome, and soybean aphids.
- Develop soybean varieties with acceptable yield and with one or more of the
following seed composition traits: high oleic acid, low linolenic acid, low saturated fatty acids, high protein content, and high oil content. - Enhance soybean germplasm by incorporating resistance to white mold, soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome, and soybean aphids into the germplasm adapted to Michigan environments.
Results
- In 2018, over 30 varieties developed in this project were tested in Michigan Soybean Performance Trials. Eight varieties were among the top ten high yielding lines in the Central and/or the South Conventional Variety Trials. All these top ranking MSU varieties are resistant to SCN.
- Various seed companies increased twelve varieties from this 2018 project for commercial productions in 2019 and in the future.
Importance
- The targeted new soybean varieties will have high or acceptable yield with resistance to major diseases in Michigan, special fatty acid compositions, increased protein and oil contents, or other value- added traits.
- The enhanced germplasm can either be used directly as new varieties or can be used to develop new varieties best adapted to Michigan environments.
- The Michigan soybean industry will benefit from these new varieties by both increased profits and reduced disease and insect management cost.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
