North Missouri Soybean Breeding and Genetics

The North Missouri Soybean Breeding and Genetics Project is a part of the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology, located on the Columbia campus. The objective of the Soybean Breeding program is development of improved, high yielding varieties in maturity groups III and IV. Emphasis is placed on developing resistance to the soybean cyst nematode and Phytophthora root rot. Resistance to various herbicides is also being incorporated into advanced selections.

Soil tests done by the Nematology Project at the University of Missouri have shown that SCN races 1 and 2 are now dominant in Missouri soils over race 3, the race for which most commercial soybean varieties carry genetic resistance. Germplasm with resistance to SCN races 1 and 2 is being bred with elite lines in an attempt to broaden the SCN resistance genes in commercial varieties. Emphasis is also placed upon identification of new sources of soybean cyst nematode resistance, studying inheritance of soybean cyst nematode resistance in these new sources, and development of improved breeding methodology for soybean cyst nematode resistance.

Another of the Soybean Breeding project’s objectives is to develop value-added soybean varieties for Missouri. This will include development of Tofu and Natto varieties, soybeans with high seed protein and varieties with lower saturated and modified fatty acids (oil). In 2005, crosses were also made with lines shown to have some Asian Soybean Rust resistance and in 2006 we will be crossing with soybean lines with low allergenic characteristics. Selection for improved seed quality is also a research objective.

Some soybean lines developed by the University of Missouri are released as germplasm and made available to be used as parents in other private and public breeding programs. Others are released as varieties and made available to the public through Midwest Premium Genetics LLC in Concordia, MO.