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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #401150
Research Project: Exploiting Genetic Diversity through Genomics, Plant Physiology, and Plant Breeding to Increase Competitiveness of U.S. Soybeans in Global Markets

Location: Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research

Title: Identification of high-yielding soybean lines with exceptional seed composition qualities

Author
item GILLENWATER, JAY - North Carolina State University
item Mian, Rouf
item Cunicelli, Mia
item MCNEECE, BRANT - Collaborator
item Taliercio, Earl

Submitted to: Crops
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2023
Publication Date: 12/13/2023
Citation: Gillenwater, J., Mian, R.M., Cunicelli, M.J., Mcneece, B., Taliercio, E.W. 2023. Identification of high-yielding soybean lines with exceptional seed composition qualities. Crops. 3(4), 333-342. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops3040029.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/crops3040029

Interpretive Summary: Nearly 60-70% of the value of the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop is derived from the soybean meal protein and the rest from its oil. However, growers are compensated based on seed yield, so a more valuable crop is the one that is high yielding with an optimum combination of protein and oil. A negative correlation of seed protein with seed yield and oil makes simultaneous improvement of these traits difficult but not impossible through conventional breeding. Selections of lines with exceptional yield and seed composition were made from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) soybean mapping populations to identify high protein and/or high oil lines with yield comparable to elite cultivars. The performance of the RILs were evaluated in multiple environments and several genotypes were identified with yields comparable to those of high yielding check cultivars with seed protein and/or oil superior to the checks. These genotypes will provide breeders with additional sources of germplasm for continuing efforts to improve seed composition traits without compromising seed yield, and provide growers with more profitable cultivars. Such high yielding lines with improved seed and meal protein contents are rare, and should be increasingly important with the focus on plant based alternative sustainable protein sources that can contribute towards the goal of net zero carbon agricultural systems.

Technical Abstract: In current markets, the primary uses for soybean seed are in products derived from its oil or protein content. However, growers are compensated based on seed yield, so a more valuable crop is the one that is high yielding with an optimum combination of protein and oil. A negative correlation of seed protein with seed yield and oil makes simultaneous improvement of these traits difficult but not impossible through conventional breeding. Selections of lines with exceptional yield and seed composition were made from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) soybean mapping populations to identify high protein and/or high oil lines with yield comparable to elite cultivars. The performance of these RIL were evaluated in multiple environments and several genotypes were identified with yield comparable to those of high yielding check cultivars with seed protein and/or oil superior to the checks. These genotypes will provide breeders with additional sources of germplasm for continuing efforts to improve seed composition traits without compromising seed yield, and provide growers with more profitable cultivars.