Project Number: 6402-21000-004-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 04, 2003
End Date: Jul 03, 2008

Objective:
1) Elucidate inputs and develop management systems to enhance profitability and consistency of production for the ESPS (Early Soybean Production System); 2) develop new, early-maturing genotypes with improved pest resistance, improved seed quality, improved morphology and flowering traits, and improved yield potential for the ESPS; 3) determine potential role of nematodes, pathogens, and insects as limiting factors in efficient ESPS plantings, and develop applications of soybean genetics for minimizing the possible impact of these soybean pests; 4) coordinate Uniform Soybean Tests for the southern USA; and 5) characterize/document soybean germplasm collection for the southern USA.

Approach:
Conduct field experiments to determine unique levels of tillage, weed management, and pest control for maximizing and sustaining profitability of soybean grown in both low-yield, nonirrigated environments and high-yield, irrigated environments in the midsouthern USA; Use long-term soybean phenology, weather, and soil moisture data to determine relationships between abiotic factors and plant development and seed quality in order to assess future plant performance and characterize desired plant characteristics; Use available genetic diversity in soybean germplasm from northern and southern USA lines and collection sources to increase yield potential of soybean lines through breeding efforts to optimize branching, plant height, and growing season length; Use available genetic diversity and pest-resistant breeding lines in breeding efforts to improve planting seed quality in early-maturing lines to ensure successful emergence in early-season plantings; Determine the ideal growth stage for stem canker inoculation in early-season plantings to ensure maximum expression of the disease, and assess utilized resistance sources for incorporation into new stem canker-resistant germplasm; Determine potential role of nematodes, pathogens, and insects as limiting factors in efficient early-season plantings, and identity and transfer genes for resistance to major soybean pests (primarily soybean cyst nematode and phytophthera root rot) into improved germplasm for use in future variety development; Coordinate Uniform Soybean Tests of elite genetic material from public soybean breeding programs in the southern USA; and Characterize/document accessions in the soybean germplasm collection for the southern USA for plant traits, seed composition and germination quality, and disease symptoms.