Registration of R18-14147: A high-protein conventional soybean germplasm line

Authors: VIEIRA, C. CANELLA - University Of Arkansas; FLOREZ-PALACIOS, L. - University Of Arkansas; MARMO, R. - University Of Arkansas; ACUNA, A. - University Of Arkansas; WU, C. - University Of Arkansas; HARRISON, D. - University Of Arkansas; ROGERS, D. - University Of Arkansas; MOZZONI, L. - University Of Arkansas; ROBERTS, T. - University Of Arkansas; CARLIN, J. - University Of Arkansas; FASKE, T. - University Of Arkansas; Mian, Rouf

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Registrations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Demands for high protein soybean meal is increasing fast in the feed and alternative protein markets due to its cost effectiveness and long-term sustainability under the changing climatic conditions. This high protein germplasm exhibited competitive and stable yield compared to experimental lines and non-Xtend® lines and checks, while numerically inferior to the yield of the Xtend® checks. The disparity is likely due to its reduced yield under persistent off-target dicamba exposure during its vegetative growth stages in most yield evaluations conducted in this research. R18-14147 yields an average of 4,482 kg ha-1 across various environmental conditions. Additionally, it boasts a high-protein content of 429.3 kg ha-1, which is 2 – 3% higher than the check cultivars in this research, and it also exhibits resistance to stem canker. Soybean meal is one of the most cost-effective and widely utilized protein sources for livestock species, and the market share of plant-based protein is experiencing rapid growth. Non-GMO soybean cultivars with high-protein content are emerging as a commercially viable product, commanding premium prices from consumers, and thereby enhancing producers' overall profitability. R18-14147 is a promising high-protein conventional cultivar suitable for inclusion in alternative crop rotation strategies within herbicide-tolerant cultivar systems. It offers the seed-saving benefits for growers and serves as a valuable germplasm for the development of new cultivars, streamlining the breeding process for high-protein varieties.

Technical Abstract: R18-14147 is a high-protein conventional maturity group 4-Mid soybean germplasm developed and released by the University of Arkansas – Division of Agriculture Research & Extension in 2023. It is an F3:4 selection from the cross between LG10-3671-1 × R09-430. Plants of R18-14147 have an indeterminate growth habit with purple flowers, gray pubescence, brown pod wall colors, and imperfect black hilum color. Across 28 environments in Arkansas (2019-2022), R18-14147 yielded 4482 kg ha-1 overall and showed broad adaptability and yield stability across the state. Seeds of R18-14147 contain on average 429 g kg-1 and 191 g kg-1 of protein and oil on a dry weight basis, respectively, and weigh 15.2 g 100 seeds-1. The average seed protein content of this line is 2 to 3% higher than the average protein content of the check cultivars used in various trials to evaluate R18-14147. Additionally, R18-14147 is resistant to stem canker. R18-14147 presents soybean growers in the US mid-South with a promising germplasm alternative combining high-yielding potential and elevated seed protein content for alternative crop rotation in herbicide-tolerant cultivar systems, offering seed-saving cost benefits and serving as a valuable germplasm for new cultivar development.