Update:
This project offers a means of broadly testing, comparing, and showcasing new lines containing improved compositional traits, largely developed by public breeders. This project has been ongoing since 2001. In 2010, field tests consisted of 82 tests, with 113 variety-entries in 43 different environments for MG 0-V, among 22 cooperators. Compositional traits represented among the lines include reduced linolenic acid, reduced phytate, less than 7% saturated fatty acids, greater than 50% oleic acid, increased protein content and improved amino acid quality, including some with various combinations of these traits. Through these tests, breeders gain important information on interactions among quality traits and production environments. This is fundamental to the success of any genetic improvement efforts and to the production and marketing of soybean varieties with traits that meet minimum specifications, whether in a broad range of environments or in targeted production areas. Annual results are summarized for each cooperator and others upon request.
The Quality Traits test is a cooperative test (2001-2016) among public soybean breeders and is conducted across numerous states and locations to test and develop soybean varieties that contain improved quallity traits, These traits include increased protein and oil content, high oleic, low linolenic, modified carbohydrate traits of increased sugar and/or low oligosacchrides, modified amino acid content, and low phytate. The annual results for each year can be obtained by contacting Dr. George Graef of the University of Nebraska at ggraef1@unl.ed.The experimental varieties developed under this program ultimately lead to released varieties with improved qualtiy traits that either come through direct release to the market or as private varieties that contain as a source the germplasm developed through by breeders from this project.