2026
Breeding, evaluation and maintenance of NDSU core germplasm
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Lead Principal Investigator:
Carrie Miranda, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
2026_Agronomy_22
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
This project supports the NDSU soybean breeding program core germplasm program, which focuses on developing high-yielding soybean varieties with stress and disease resistances specific for North Dakota. This includes: soybean cyst nematode, iron deficiency chlorosis, soybean sudden death syndrome, and white mold. This project also explores genetic mechanisms influencing soybean maturity to optimize season length to be applied in new varieties to reduce grower risk and maximize yield. This work provides hands-on training for students to become future plant breeders. This research benefits North Dakota farmers by offering improved soybean varieties through NDSU and trains the next generation of plant geneticists and breeders.
Information And Results
Project Summary

This project supports the NDSU soybean breeding program core germplasm program. The core germplasm program comprises nearly all of the NDSU soybean germplasm collection including conventional, tofu and natto soybean. The goal is to focus on creating high yielding soybean lines that are stacked with necessary resistances for North Dakota including: soybean cyst nematode, iron deficiency chlorosis, soybean sudden death syndrome, white mold, and brown stem rot. Many of these traits are multigenic and require intense breeding efforts to achieve improvement. Once the superior germplasm is created, it can enter the trait introgression pipeline where acquired herbicide resistances can be added. This proposed project includes every step of creating superior core germplasm from hybridization, early generation advancement, yield testing, pure seed creation, and finally breeder seed increases. My role as the breeder is to oversee and manage the breeding team to assure they are carrying out the breeding pipeline as efficiently, purely, and safely as possible. This includes decision making and hands on field/ seed lab work. This project also allows for hands-on training for interns, undergraduate, graduate students to give them the experience they need to be successful breeders following graduation.

Project Objectives

• Creation of superior germplasm including increased yield with increased protein and/or oil.
• Creation of germplasm with stacked disease resistances
• Research to determine genetic mechanisms of maturity in North Dakota to optimize season length and reduce grower risk.
• Training of graduate and undergraduate students to become plant breeders.

Project Deliverables

The two main deliverables of the project are the creation of superior germplasm with high yield and diseases resistances necessary for North Dakota. Germplasm created and data collected are leveraged to conduct a maturity study to understand soybean season length in North Dakota. This project also creates a training opportunity for students to become the next generation of plant breeders.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The ultimate goal of the NDSU soybean breeding program is to release high yielding soybean varieties that are well adapted to North Dakota. NDSU soybean varieties are less expensive than private companies. This project also creates a training place for students to learn how to become breeders while learning and overcoming the agricultural challenges faced in North Dakota.

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.