Research Area
The University of Arkansas soybean breeding and genetics program
is designed to provide producers with unbiased, research-based information
on variety selection, and a steady flow of new and improved soybean varieties
adapted to various production systems and regions in Arkansas and the mid-south.
A long-term goal of our soybean breeding program is to develop varieties
with high productivity and profitability. Our specific objectives for variety
development include increased yield, wide range maturities, multiple and
durable disease resistance, stress tolerance, conventional and herbicide
resistance, lodging and shattering resistance, value-added traits, and improved
seed quality.
Our breeding program also aims to develop diverse germplasm that would broaden
the genetic background and improve the southern soybean gene pool. In addition,
the research program incorporates value-added specialty traits that would
meet various market demands for health benefits and nutritional value from
soyfood products such as tofu, natto, soymilk, soy sauce, miso, soynuts,
edamame, and bean sprouts. The specialty soybean program focuses on proper
seed size, high protein, low oil, high sugar, low calcium, soft texture,
high isoflavone, lipoxygenase-free, and modified fatty acids. In addition,
we are developing high protein and low phytate soybeans for specialty feed
that would increase feeding efficiency and decrease environmental pollution.
The specialty soybeans will play an important role in expanding the niche
markets for soyfood, feed, and nutraceuticals and, therefore, enhance the
overall soybean production.
Soybean breeding and genetics research are conducted at six experiment stations
throughout Arkansas, each with a soybean research specialist assigned. In
addition, we have three full-time research specialists on campus along with
five Ph.D. and four M.S. students working on various research projects, including
drought tolerance, flood tolerance, virus resistance, genetic diversity,
early production systems, seed quality traits, economics of specialty soybeans,
seed physical and chemical properties, molecular makers, and gene discovery.
Research projects are funded by USDA-NRI, USDA-ARS, United Soybean Board,
Blue Horizon, Inc., Monsanto Company, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, Arkansas
Bioscience Institute, and Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research
Incentive Program.