1. In support of an NCSRP project, produce new genotypes and evaluate those genotypes in field evaluations to collect agronomic data used in the development of genomic selection tools. Evaluations will consist of exotic germplasm, elite breeding lines, and advanced lines in the Uniform Soybean Performance Tests.
2.Identify new sources of "good" germplasm. Screen hundreds of different germplasm (exotic germplasm) not contributing to the genetic diversity of US soybean varieties for seed yield, maturity, lodging, shattering, seed composition, and stress response. Genotypic data is also being collected on these accessions in support of Objective 1.
3. Develop superior varieties using exotic germplasm. Each year, develop approximately 40 populations involving exotic parents or lines derived from exotic germplasm with high yielding, elite varieties. Evaluate progeny in both dryland and irrigation field conditions in Kansas and the US and characterize resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). Increase the diversity in SCN populations used in screening trials to represent the natural diversity in SCN populations across Kansas.
4. Develop high yielding soybean varieties with desirable levels of protein and oil. Through a USB project, utilize exotic sources to breed for increased protein and yield. We will also target oil concentrations in our work in Kansas. Each year, develop approximately 15 populations involving exotic parents or lines derived from exotic germplasm with high yielding, elite varieties. Evaluate progeny in both dryland and irrigation field conditions in Kansas and the US and characterize resistance to SCN and SDS.
5. Develop high oleic varieties. Conventional germplasm owned jointly by the USDA and the Missouri Soybean Merchandizing Council is available with high oleic acid. Once an MTA is signed, the high oleic trait will be incorporated into Kansas adapted material through backcrossing and forward crosses.
6. Breed transgenic events into elite breeding lines. In previous funding from KSC, NCSRP, and USB we have produced stable transgenic lines showing enhanced resistance to SCN. Current KSC research is evaluating alternative methods for SDS, SCN and RKN. Together with stable lines already produced we will move these traits to elite breeding lines that have traditional resistances.
7. Develop SDS resistant varieties. Use resistant lines identified from a previous NCSRP SDS breeding project to combine SDS and SCN resistance. Each year, develop approximately 15 populations involving exotic parents or lines derived from exotic germplasm with high yielding, elite varieties. Evaluate progeny in both dryland and irrigation field conditions in Kansas and the US and characterize resistance to SCN and SDS.
8. Develop soybean varieties and germplasm with stacked traits. Each year, soybean lines exhibiting a wide range of desirable traits, including pest resistance, yield stability, and seed quality will be used to develop new populations to produce progeny with combinations of the most desirable traits for Kansas soybean producers, with the ultimate goal of developing varieties with broad pest resistance and yield stability.
9. Develop high throughput technology. Record in-season soybean canopy thermal and spectral profiles with a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) at irrigated and dryland research plots. Genotypes possessing extremes in phenotypes (such as disease resistance, wilting and canopy temperature) will be included in the evaluations. Effectiveness of the system will be assessed by correlating thermal and spectral canopy profiles with relative seed yield, relative maturity, and wilting scores. This phenotypic data will be used to support gene mapping.