2023
Developing soybean cultivars with high biological nitrogen fixation capacity
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureGeneticsNitrogen fixationSustainability
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Stella Kantartzi, Southern Illinois University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
23-209-S-D-3-A
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
The ultimate objective of the proposed project is to breed elite soybean cultivars with high BNF capacity that will support green agricultural systems and enhance sustainability. BNF maximization is more important than ever since N demand increased by 4.1% in 2021 and is projected to experience a 1% annual growth from 2022 to 2026. Nevertheless, most fertilizer manufacturers curtail production due to globally skyrocketing natural gas rates, leading to supply shortages in chemical N fertilizers and soaring prices.
Information And Results
Project Summary

Project Objectives

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a fundamental process in soybean, positively related to high productivity and protein content and negatively related to environmental stress, both biotic and abiotic. To obtain high yields, soybean producers tend to apply chemical N fertilizers that increase the production cost, while causing ecological damage. Our goal in the present study is to develop soybean cultivars with high BNF capacity to support green agricultural systems and enhance sustainability. In accordance with our first-year proposal, we created a panel of 200 soybean accessions from 20 different countries that were genetically diverse for BNF according to information collected from an exhaustive literature and database review. Data for traits related to BNF were collected under greenhouse conditions using a protocol previously developed in our lab and combined with SNP marker data. Statistical analysis helped us to select two lines with high BNF, yield potential, and protein content that will be used for trait introgression. Additionally, a genome-wide association study revealed SNPs associated with BNF controlling traits that could be used as biomarkers for facilitating the selection of soybean varieties with high N fixation efficiency. Overall, our results allow us to continue our efforts toward the development of new germplasm material with significantly lower N demand, improved crop performance, and seeds rich in protein.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The resulting cultivars with improved BNF capacity will offer U.S. soybean producers competitive yields at a lower production cost.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.