Yield can be affected by how efficiently soybeans use water, especially in a drought. A University of Missouri professor has been studying how to improve soybean water use efficiency. He’s searching within soybean genetic lines for traits that are associated with strong water use efficiency, which helps the crop tolerate drought conditions better. The research is also evaluating how efficiently soybeans convert water into biomass and yield by measuring the amount of biomass produced per unit of water lost through transpiration. Molecular indicators from photosynthesis is how the team is measuring water use efficiency.
Key Benefactors:
Farmers