The soybean breeding and genetics project addresses the following NSB priority areas for FY23: (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. Targets for modified seed composition include general meal and oil markets as well as novel markets for new food products, aquaculture, and industrial uses. 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.

(1) Produce high-yielding soybean varieties well adapted to Nebraska production systems
(2) Develop 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 (IDC), soybean cyst nematode (SCN), phytophthora root rot, soybean mosaic virus, bean pod mottle virus, and sudden death syndrome (SDS).

Milestones and outcomes:
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.

Based on information that I have regarding direct use of soybean varieties from this program in production fields, the value to soybean farmers at first point of sale is about $100 million annually. That also would return $500,000 annually to the checkoff. Impacts beyond this direct use include the contributions Nebraska soybean lines make to varieties developed by other university and USDA programs. We don’t receive that information, but know that a large percentage of top lines from other programs have Nebraska parentage.

This project benefits Nebraska soybean farmers directly by developing high-yielding 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. Research indicates that current Nebraska environments may be predictive of future environments farther east because of shifting climate patterns, so selection of superior soybean cultivars based on performance in Nebraska production systems could provide an important foundation for adaptation to future soybean production in the north central 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.