REGISTRATION OF TARA SOYBEAN

Authors: Devine, Thomas; McMurtrey Iii, James

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/20/2003
Publication Date: 5/1/2004
Citation: Devine, T.E., McMurtrey III, J.E. 2004. Registration of 'Tara' soybean. Crop Science. 44:1020.

Interpretive Summary: Many acres of land are planted each year to seed mixtures that provide plants that nurture wildlife animals such as deer, antelope, quail, wild turkey etc. This report describes Tara a new soybean cultivar that is well suited to use in wildlife mixtures. Tara will grow exceptionally tall, 5 feet, without adding nitrogen fertilizer. This tall growth provides cover for larger animals such as deer in addition to providing nutritious high protein forage. The smaller seed size of Tara enhances its compatibility with seeds of other species typically used in wildlife seed mixtures. In addition, Tara can provide livestock and grain producers with versatile management options in their production systems. Growers of Tara can retain the option of using the crop as either forage or grain until late in the growing season. The increased crop residue produced by Tara provides soybean grain producers with a soil conservation benefit by reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. Tara will be useful in helping grain producers meet their targets for compliance with soil conservation plans for crop residue coverage especially on highly erodible land (HEL). In a replicated test at Beltsville, Maryland, Tara produced 3.33 tons of crop residue biomass, a 31% increase over the cultivar Hutcheson. Tara's crop residue persisted through the winter and provided 38% crop residue cover, after a mulch spring tillage operation. At the next crop planting, Tara provided an 18% increase over the cultivar Hutcheson in crop residue cover. Tara will assist grain producers in meeting their soil conservation plan targets for crop residue cover, especially on highly erodible land.

Technical Abstract: Tara is a tall growing large biomass producing multi-use soybean developed by the Agricultural Research Service and released on 12/12/2002. Tara is suited for use in wildlife seed mixtures and as a grain or forage soybean. Tara provides tall cover and high protein forage for wildlife. The increased crop residue biomass produced by Tara provides grain producers with a soil conservation benefit by reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. Tara is an F5 derived line from the cross OR5-12-1T X OR13-11-4-3-2-1. The F3 and F5 progeny were selected for forage type at Orange, VA and the F4 progeny were selected for forage type and lodging resistance at Beltsville, MD. OR5-12-1T is an F4 derived line from the cross PA4-11g1 X Ripley. PA4-11g1 was developed from the four-way cross (Wilson 6 X Forrest) X (Perry X L76-0253). Progeny from this cross were subjected to selection for forage type at State College, PA or Beltsville, MD in alternate years. L76-0253 is an F6 segregate of the cross 'Williams' X PI229358. OR-13-11-4-3-2-1 was an F7 derived line from the cross [(Wilson 6 X Forrest) X (Perry X L76-0253)] X Tracy-M. Tara was not genetically engineered. Tara is an early group V cultivar with white flowers and tawny pubescence. Seeds are yellow with lustrous seed coats and black hila. Seeds weigh 14.4 grams per 100 seeds. Tara was susceptible to races 3 and 14 of the soybean cyst nematode. It is susceptible to sudden death syndrome and moderately susceptible to frogeye leafspot. Tara was tolerant to southern stem canker disease in field test in Maryland. Protection for Tara is being sought under the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1994.