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The SDSU Plant Science Department website is maintained by Julia Fausti in accordance with SDSU guidelines. Last updated 3 November 2009 |
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Located on the fringes of the U.S. soybean belt, South Dakota faces unique environmental factors that negatively affect both soybean yield and quality. These factors lower the profitability of South Dakota soybeans and cause increased production costs and decreased net returns for the state’s growers. With strong support from multiple disciplines both on and off campus, the SDSU Soybean Breeding & Genetics project will continue to focus on the development of superior varieties and/or germplasm with high yield and high quality as well as related research, to meet the needs of SD growers and soybean industries/markets.
High-yielding varieties will possess not only high yielding potential, but also good stability and adaptability that include resistance or tolerance to damaging pests in South Dakota, such as soybean cyst nematodes, phytophthora root rot, and soybean aphids, as well as tolerance to abiotic stress. High protein and high oil are two aspects in quality improvement. Improved nutritional qualities will also target emerging markets for oils low in saturated fats and better cooking stability, such as mid-higher oleic acid , low linolenic acid, etc.
As one of the major food and oil crops, the improvement of soybean is relevant to the food safety and health of human beings. This program will emphasize the development of conventional varieties, including improved specialty soybean for soymilk, tofu, organic soybean, aquafeeds, etc. In cooperation with biochemists and other professionals, chemicals/biochemicals and their metabolism associated with some healthy issues or diseases will be investigated. For instance, some dietary components (i.e., bioactive food components, micronutrients) may lower the production of inflammatory compounds which associated with obesity, chronic inflammation, diabetes and heart disease. Clarifying the protective role of these dietary components against problems seen with obesity and chronic disease response will aid in the setting of safe and efficacious levels of consumption or in revising current recommendations. This, in turn, is expected to lead to new strategies for preventing inflammation-induced complications whether due to obesity or to another inflammatory stimulus.
Objectives and Research Action Plan:
· To develop and release superior soybean varieties adapted to South Dakota and surrounding areas and elite germplasm with unique merits that will fit changing needs. à High-yielding potential: yield components and related factors. à Resistance or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses: soybean aphids, soybean cyst nematodes, phytophthora root rot, drought, herbicides, etc. à Good adaptability: characteristics associated with plant growth and development, plant height, maturity, etc. à High quality: high protein, high oil, modified fatty acids (mid-higher oleic and linoleic acids, low and extra-low linolenic acid), low phytate, etc. à Specialty soybean: requirements and characteristics specifically for soy foods, soymilk, Tofu, roasted soybeans or soy nuts, fermented soybeans or douchi, organic soybean products, fish feeds, etc.
· To conduct genetic and agronomic research aimed at developing useful germplasm pools and better understanding of soybean production and improvement. à Basic research: characterization and genetic mechanism of important traits, and methodology of improvement. à Application of novel techniques in practical breeding: QTL mapping, molecular marker-assisted selection, etc. à Germplasm enhancement: germplasm collection and introduction, and innovation of elite gerpmlasm with novel genes or gene combinations.
· As a long term goal, some traits in soybean related to human health will be investigated, to evaluate the efficacy of various dietary components (such as bioactive food components and micronutrients) in attenuating the production of proinflammatory mediators, and to examine how bioactive food components and micronutrients interact in averting the complications associated with obesity and chronic inflammation. |
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Soybean Research Personnel |
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