NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Soybeans are grown on about 7 million acres in Minnesota and farmers need adapted varieties. Soybean producers need new varieties and germplasm to remain competitive in the world market. This project generates new knowledge on soybean genetics and develops high yielding, hazard resistant, high quality soybean varieties adapted to Minnesota. It also tests publicly and privately developed varieties Results of this research will have a direct impact on soybean producers since they will be able to grow the released cultivars. Producers also can use the variety trial results to help select the most productive varieties for farms next growing season. Development of special purpose varieties has provided and will provide value-added opportunities for soybean producers now and in the future.

OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop new high yielding, hazard tolerant, high quality general purpose and special purpose soybean varieties adapted to Minnesota. 2. Evaluate general purpose and special purpose varieties developed in other programs and evaluate exotic soybean germplasm. 3. Generate new information on soybean genetics and on breeding methodology. 4. Contribute to the training of graduate students.

APPROACH: Crosses will be made between genotypes with desired traits and generations advanced in Minnesota and Chile. Plant rows will be selected and evaluated for desired traits. Agronomic evaluations will be made in the field and if a genotype proves superior to existing cultivars it will be released. Results of variety tests will be published. Genetic and breeding methodology studies will be part of student thesis and will be published. Graduate students will conduct laboratory and field research as part of their education.

KEYWORDS: plant breeding; plant genetics; soybean oil; soybeans; soybean proteins; stress tolerance; pre harvest; crop quality; product quality; crop varieties; information dissemination; graduate students; agricultural education; training; genotypes; traits; methodology; plant evaluation; glyphosate; herbicide resistant plants; crop yields; earliness; protein content; oil content; plant pest resistance; plant disease resistance

PROGRESS: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
Soybeans occupied approximately 2.9 million hectares in Minnesota in 2006 with an average yield of about 2.8 Mg/ha. Publicly developed cultivars were grown on about 7% of the soybean hectarage. Several cultivars developed by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station are grown extensively. Recently released general purpose and special purpose Minnesota cultivars contributed about $1,000,000 extra income in 2006 compared with yield of older cultivars. Two new cultivars, one maturity group O and one maturity group I, were released in 2006. One cultivar had very high yield and one contained soybean cyst nematode resistance. Development of cultivars that complement those available from the private sector continues. In addition to yield, earliness and protein and oil content, emphasis is being placed on soybean cyst nematode, phytophthora root rot, aphid, white mold and brown stem rot resistance. Initial crosses with soybean rust resistant/tolerant germplasm have been made. Results of tests of 605 public and private conventional and Roundup Ready cultivars were reported in varietal trials bulletins. The use of molecular markers to identify lines with soybean cyst nematode resistance was used in selection schemes in 2006. Cooperative efforts to increase genetic diversity, study drought tolerance, develop low saturate, low linolenic lines, mid oleic, low phytate and special purpose lines continue. An improved NIR equation for determining amino acid composition in soybean seed has been developed. Research on NIR equations for soluble sugars, structural carbohydrates and isoflavones is continuing. Besides cooperation with faculty in various departments at the University of Minnesota cooperative research was conducted with scientists in ND, SD, IA, IL, NE, IN, NC, OH, and Chile.

IMPACT: 2006/01 TO 2006/12
Results of this research will have a direct impact on soybean producers since they will be able to grow the released cultivars. Producers also can use the variety trial results to help select the most productive varieties for farms next growing season. Development of special purpose varieties has provided and will provide value-added opportunities for soybean producers now and in the future.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2006/01 TO 2006/12
1. Panthee, D.R., Pantalone, V.R., Sams, C.E., Saxton, A.M., West, D.R., Orf, J.H., and Killam, A.S. 2005. Quantative trait loci controlling sulfur containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, in soybean seeds. TAG 122:161-6.
2. Orf, J.H., Chase, K., Specht, J., Choi, I., Cregan, P.B., and Lark, K.G. 2006. Abnormal leaf formation in soybeans: genetic and environmental effects. TAG 113:137-146.
3. Orf, J.H. 2006. Development of Food Grade Soybeans for Japan: Current and Future Efforts. Proceedings of the 9th Food Soybean Conference. ASA-IM, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 8-16.
4. Larriera, A., and Orf, J.H. 2006. Breeding for greater stability of protein and oil content in soybean. Agron. Abs. p
5. Orf, J.H., Schaus, P.J., and Naeve, S.L. 2005. Preliminary Results of Public and Private Soybean Variety Performance Trials. Agri News. p. E20-E48.
6. Orf, J.H., Hardman, L.L., Schaus, P.J., Kurle J.E., and Naeve, S.L. 2004. MP110-2004. Minnesota Varietal Trials Results, p. 57-76.

PROJECT CONTACT:
Name: Orf, J. H.
Phone: 612-625-8275
Fax: 612-625-1268
Email: orfxx001@umn.edu