2017
Evaluation of Commercial Soybean Varieties for Drought Resistance
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsSeed quality
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
T W Rufty, North Carolina State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
17-061
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

The goal of this research is to reduce the impact of stress on soybean production in North Carolina by working with commercial companies to develop new varieties that yield better under extreme heat and drought conditions. Extensive evaluation of commercial private cultivars for drought response should identify specific deficiencies in private sector varieties and set the stage for public-private interactions to solve these problems. To realize the full potential of these complex traits in farmers’ fields, the commercial soybean breeding community needs dedicated public scientists who can grapple with those complexities and help turn scientific discovery into farm reality.

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

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

As most farmers have experienced, summer drought and heat have always been the most important barriers to profitable soybeans in the USA. There is an expectation that future summer heat waves and drought cycles will be even more extreme than those we experience now. Soybean varieties in the USA have generally been reported to be drought and heat sensitive. Consequently, intermittent and/or terminal droughts can severely reduce yields of soybeans. This is evident in the state, where yields are often below 35 bu/ac. Because irrigation is not a viable option, the development of drought tolerant soybean varieties will be necessary for sustainable soybean production in NC. We have developed soybean breeding varieties that are relatively drought tolerant. This was made possible due to the identification of complex traits –particularly the “slow-wilting” trait –found in our soybean breeding material. In order for these gains to be realized in farmers’ fields, these traits will need to be integrated with commercial cultivars. Therefore, assessing the current commercial germplasm is a critical step in this endeavor. This, of course, is no easy task. However, with support from the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association and collaboration with Universities, companies, and NC OVT, we are making important positive gains toward the goal of reducing the impact of drought and heat stress on soybean production in North Carolina.

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.