Update:
The goal of our research is to create a suite of non-nodulating genotypes in high-yielding, modern genetic backgrounds with the Roundup Ready (glyphosate tolerance) trait across the major maturity groups (MGs) grown in the United States (MGs 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). Non-nodulating genotypes available today were developed by backcrossing the nonnod trait into varieties from 30 to 50+ years ago (e.g., Clark, Williams, Harosoy, Lee, Chippewa). These non-nodulating isolines have little resemblance to high yielding varieties grown today, which limits the ability to draw meaningful inferences regarding nitrogen and protein accumulation. During the summer of 2020, successful crosses were initiated between nonnod donors and elite, recurrent parents in MGs 1 through 8; crosses between a MG 0 line and Harosoy-nonnod will begin this winter. We also have developed a KASP-SNP assay that will be useful to distinguish the recessive rj1 allele (conferring the nonnod phenotype) from Rj1. This assay will be helpful in identifying true crosses, and the assay will be available to all collaborators.