2015
Breeding for high yield, yield protection and compositional traits in soybean for Iowa farmers
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Crop protectionDiseaseField management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Asheesh Singh, Iowa State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Gustavo MacIntosh, Iowa State University
Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
Matthew O'Neal, Iowa State University
Arti Singh, Iowa State University
Gregory Tylka, Iowa State University
+4 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

To realize true genetic potential, soybeans need favorable genetic combinations of grain yield genes, protection from deterrents like pests and diseases, and maximized performance in diverse growing and soil conditions. This breeding program’s goals are to improve soybean production through the development of new cultivars and germplasm, gene discovery, research insights for farmers, processors, and consumers, and developing seed selection strategies. This project combines hardware and software solutions to solve phenotyping bottleneck, which streamlines breeding and trait study pipeline for yield gain and improve protection traits. Primary objectives are to increase soybean seed yield using genetic and phenomics tools, improve seed quality for increased market capture, and develop breeding population to improve protection traits.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents, soybean breeders, seed companies

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Specific deliverables (one year):
1. Advance the breeding population from 2014 hybridizations. Increase F1 generation in Puerto Rico, or make three-way crosses to generate F1 seed. (Progress: Achieved)
2. Grow F2 populations and make single plant selections and maturity separations. (Progress: Achieved)
3. Create new populations in 2015 summer. (Progress: Achieved)
Conventional advanced lines will be converted to a herbicide resistant cultivar through back crossing.
Cultivars will be available for commercial production and for use by private seed companies as a parental source.

Final Project Results

In the breeding program, we initiated the development of new populations to meet our objectives and the F1 generation was sent to Puerto Rico for additional crossing and increase (two cycles). We increased seed of 36 populations (crosses made in Puerto Rico) and made single plant selections in 20 populations near Ames in the summer of 2015. In our attempt to improve the soybean yield, we have taken two main research approaches: 1) understand the genetic drivers of soybean yield, and 2) increase the genetic diversity of soybean germplasm to breed with novel genes/alleles. Experiments included replicated trials at 3 locations in Iowa to study elite cultivars vs plant introductions, varying maturities, growth habit (indeterminate and determinate), planting density, and row spacing (15” and 30”). Meaningful measurements were taken at critical vegetative and reproductive growth stages using multiple sensors (ground) and aerial imagery. Statistical analysis will be done in fall and spring, and we look forward to making a presentation to the soybean growers in early 2016.

To increase the diversity of soybean germplasm, we are currently testing plant introductions for their merit to use as a parent in our breeding program. We planted specialized field (and indoor) nurseries to assess the genetic worth of plant introductions for new sources of stress tolerance/resistance. We are now analyzing the data to help pick useful parents for the breeding objectives.

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.