The soybean breeding and genetics project addresses the following NSB priority areas for FY2022:
(1) Genetic-based improvement in soybean yield potential,
(2) use of new genes for soybean resistance to disease and insect pests,
(3) adjustment of soybean seed composition to enhance marketability.

We develop more than 30,000 new lines each year over all breeding objectives, and those are evaluated and selected through multiple stages and years of testing. Major objectives include improved yield and compositional quality, and improved resistance and tolerance to stresses including IDC, drought, and multiple disease and insect pests. Germplasm from our breeding program consistently ranks at the top of the USDA regional performance trials that are conducted throughout the north central region in collaboration with other university and USDA programs. New soybean cultivars are available to soybean producers and seed suppliers, and are also used as parents in breeding programs at other USDA, university, and commercial programs throughout the US. Direct commercialization of new lines also occurs through license agreements to companies and germplasm suppliers. This is a continuing and long-term program. Rationale for funding a public breeding program in Nebraska includes direct benefit to Nebraska producers with varieties specifically adapted to Nebraska production systems, providing alternative market opportunities to Nebraska producers with non-GMO, food grade, and other specialty varieties, positive impact on other public and industry programs, and the fact that current Nebraska environments may be predictive of future environments farther east because of shifting climate patterns. The budget for FY22 remains the same as for FY21.

(1) Produce high-yielding soybean varieties well adapted to Nebraska and the Midwest production systems,
(2) Produce germplasm and cultivars for use in specialty markets,
(3) Produce germplasm and cultivars with improved compositional quality,
(4) Evaluate and develop germplasm and cultivars that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses important for Nebraska producers, such as iron deficiency chlorosis, soybean cyst nematode (SCN), phytophthora root rot, soybean mosaic virus, bean pod mottle virus, and sudden death syndrome (SDS).

1. Release at least one new soybean cultivar with superior yield in Nebraska production environments;
2. Release at least one new soybean cultivar with superior yield and resistance to SCN, Phytophthora
root rot, IDC, SDS, or other biotic or abiotic stress;
3. Develop at least one new line with improved seed compositional quality – higher seed protein
concentration, higher seed oil concentration, improved balance of protein, oil, and carbohydrates,
or other compositional quality traits.

Updated May 25, 2023:

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This project benefits Nebraska soybean farmers directly by developing high-yield soybean cultivars specifically adapted to Nebraska production environments. The project also benefits farmers by providing superior germplasm with improved yield, compositional quality, stress tolerance, or resistance to specific diseases that are used as parents in commercial, university, and USDA programs in the US. In addition to the cultivar and germplasm development, the genetics and breeding research from this project helps educate and train future plant breeders and provides valuable information to the soybean breeding research community to enhance our ability to develop superior soybean varieties for US producers.

Nebraska soybean lines continue to top the USDA Uniform Regional Trials and SCN Regional Tests for our maturity groups. We have six of the top 10 lines in the MG1 SCN regional test for 2020. Our lines U14-910097 and U14-925152 are MG2 lines with near immunity to SCN, with resistance sources coming from PI 88788 and PI 437654 ('Hartwig'). Both lines also have excellent phytophthora resistance. The U14-910097 line is used as a high-yield, SCN resistance check in the Uniform and SCN tests, and was the #1 line for the 2018-19 2-year average in the SCN MG2 tests and the USDA Uniform MG2 tests. U14-925152 is the #1 line for 2020 and for the 2019-20 2-year average. We have 6 of the top 10 lines in the Uniform USDA MG3 preliminary tests as well as 6/10 in the advanced test. In addition to the conventional high-yield lines, we have significant progress and interest in our germplasm with increased seed protein concentration, high-oil lines, and lines with improved balance of protein and oil. These materials also are being evaluated by interested parties.

Our program is producing consistent, high-yield lines that are well adapted to Nebraska and are well adapted across the north central USA. These and other top lines have been distributed to companies and university programs for crossing and for commercialization.