Updated May 19, 2023:
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The progress in yield is important because we continue to develop and select from our Nebraska environments top-yielding lines for Nebraska that yield significantly better than the high-yield checks. Their performance holds up over years in Nebraska and is superior across the northcentral region, as shown by the Uniform Soybean Test results. With our multi-location evaluation program at high-yield farm sites in Nebraska, we identify high yield potential and are able to make significant gains in yield with each breeding cycle. Our high-yield lines are used by other programs as parents, and thus contribute to increasing genetic gain and expanding the genetic base in those programs as well. In addition, with nearly 5.5 million acres of soybean in Nebraska, our program remains unique in that it develops soybean varieties specifically adapted to Nebraska production environments.
Our seed composition results are important because we have shown that 60% seed protein concentration and 26% seed oil concentration are obtainable, the lines were used to expand the NIR calibrations available to researchers throughout the US, and we are following up with more detailed evaluation of the extreme seed compositions and effects on yield and other important agronomic traits. The multiple, large populations, recently evaluated as part of graduate student research projects, have produced hundreds of lines with increased total protein and oil together, with reduced carbohydrates in the seeds. Results from multi-location yield tests of extreme lines show we have recovered increased seed protein and seed oil, with no negative relationship with yield in these populations. That is significant, especially for soybean producers in the western soybean production areas where seed protein tends to be lower, and 60% or more of soybean production enters the export market.
We also have developed a collection of some of the most IDC-tolerant soybean lines available. Together with improved yield and seed composition, resistance to IDC will improve productivity and value on millions of soybean production acres. Many of our high-yield lines have other resistances, like phytophthora root rot, SCN, SMV, and BPMV as well.