Update:
1. The 2016 Quality Traits Test (QT) has been harvested. The 2016 QT consisted of 19 cooperators growing 65 field tests in 35environments in 14 states and in Canada. The entries in the test reflect the progress made in breeding for improved soybean seed composition, largely from USB-funded projects. The number of entries in 2016 per type of quality trait is as follows 15 for Low Linolenic (<2.5%), 1 for Low Saturates (<7%), 22 for High Oleic (> 70%) (including 7 with High Oleic + Low Linolenic stacked traits), 73 for Meal Protein (=50%), 29 for Oil (> 20% on a 13% moisture basis while maintaining at least a 48% meal protein), and 10 for Sucrose (= 8). In addition, iron chlorosis data was collected at two locations in Nebraska with high pH soil, An effort was made for 2016 for each state to submit their own phenotype data (above) using a common NIR calibration – as opposed to submitting samples into one central lab.
2. Stability analyses for each quality trait for 2016 is forthcoming.
3. EPV values have been included in the 2016 QT annual report in Feb. 2017.
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.