Updated October 30, 2017:
Ten public breeders (university or USDA) in 9 states (AR,GA,MI,MN,MO,OH,NC,SD,TN) utilize this nursery to accelerate the development of modified oil traits. The main thrust has been on high oleic utilizing the Missouri-patented gene combination stacked with low linolenic. High stearic acid and reduced palmitic acid are two other traits being developed within this nursery.
Three state programs (MO, GA, AR) are the furthest ahead on developing high oleic stacked with low linolenic and expect a commercial-ready release in 2015. These varieties will represent an alternative source of high oleic germplasm for the marketplace. The market value of the traits for increased stearic acid or decreased palmitic acid may need to be fully assessed to determine the significance of these traits in the future.
This project is an ongoing component to a larger project that supports the breeding of mid to high oleic soybean varieties - which are still in development at this juncture.