Soybean Research

Development of improved soybean varieties and novel germplasm
Dr. Gary R. Ablett, University of Guelph; Ridgetown Campus; Dr. Istvan Rajcan, University of Guelph

The continued development of improved soybean varieties and enhanced germplasm for the Ontario soybean industry is important to the success of the industry and the competitiveness of the province. The University of Guelph soybean breeding program has been a key provider of new varieties to soybean producers in Ontario and enhanced germplasm to other public and private breeding programs for use in their development programs. The complexity of the industry, the increasing pressure from current and future pests and the expansion of new and novel markets all provide targets for breeding programs.

The University of Guelph soybean breeding program released four improved soybean varieties in 2008 – three conventional yellow hilum lines with export quality traits and one Roundup Ready variety. All have excellent agronomic characteristics and yield potential.

The program made good progress in breeding conventional soybeans with Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) resistance and by 2011 we expect most cultivars being released from the program will carry SCN resistance. Significant progress in breeding for aphid, rust, and white mould tolerance was also achieved in 2008.

Work on seed quality traits increased in 2008 with a number of milestones being achieved and new traits being incorporated into the program. Three low linolenic soybean lines have met standards for registration and will be released to the industry over the next year. Significant progress has been made in breeding for high oleic or high linoleic soybeans for the food or industrial sectors. Increased emphasis is being placed on new traits such as tocopherols, luteins, high sucrose, allergen-free and others with health and/or market-driven qualities.