2014
Characterizing an Alternative Gene Pool for Increasing U.S. Soybean Yield (1420-532-5601)
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Contributor/Checkoff:
United Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Parent Project:
Characterizing an Alternative Gene Pool for Increasing U.S. Soybean Yield (Year 1 of 2219)
Lead Principal Investigator:
Randall Nelson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
1420-532-5601
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
United Soybean Board
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
USDA-ARS
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Unique Keywords:
#breeding & genetics, #soybean gene expression, #soybean genetic diversity, #soybean genomics
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

• Genomic regions, identified with known DNA markers, associated with high yield in current U.S. varieties.
• Genomic regions associated with high yield in experimental lines derived from exotic germplasm and the DNA markers that can be used to transfer these genes into new varieties.
• Identification of unique genomic regions from exotic germplasm that can be used to increase yield in U.S. varieties.
• Identification of the genomic regions that differentially affect yield in varieties of different maturity groups.

Final Project Results

Based on USDA soybean production records since 1924, soybean yield has been increasing linearly at a rate of about 1/3 of a bushel per acre per year. The technological and financial resources devoted to soybean breeding have increased enormously over the past 75 years but the rate of yield gain has not changed. This lack of change is a concern for soybean breeders and it should also be for soybean farmers. The genetic potential of the varieties grown have a major impact on average soybean yield. A very reasonable strategy for changing the rate of yield gain in soybean varieties is to change the genetic base of those varieties.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.