1. Variety and Germplasm Development
Each year, selected parents will be hybridized in fall and winter greenhouses and during summer growing seasons to produce progeny. Populations and lines will be advanced for evaluation, with field plots planted and maintained throughout the growing season. Data will be collected on agronomic, environmental, genomic, and spatial parameters. Progeny will be evaluated for seed yield, composition, and resistance traits. Winter nursery facilities will be utilized to advance and increase populations and lines. Parents will be selected to achieve genetic gain for yield, increase genetic diversity in the US soybean gene pool, optimize seed composition, and enhance pest resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. Collaboration with private breeders will help facilitate new material development.

Combining resistance to pathogens, optimizing seed composition (e.g., high oleic oil), and enhancing genetic diversity and abiotic stress tolerance will enable public and private breeding programs to develop resilient soybean varieties that meet market demands. Incorporating diverse germplasm will help bridge performance gaps between exotic and elite varieties. The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) continues to be the leading disease of soybean in the U.S., accounting for 43% of total losses over the past three years (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/soybean-disease-loss-estimates-from-the-united-states-and-ontario-canada-2023). Prevalence of SCN in Kansas soybean production fields has increased to ~40% based on the most recent (2022) survey data, and application of estimated population densities and HG Types to the SCN Coalition Profit Checker (https://www.thescncoalition.com/profitchecker/calculator/) yields an estimated loss of ~8% or more than 100 million bushels annually. Planting resistant varieties remains the best management practice but HG Type 2 populations, which reproduce well on the most common source of resistance (PI 88788), dominate the North Central Region, including Kansas. Development of varieties with different sources of resistance, such as Peking, is a major focus of this project.

2. Development and Implementation of Breeding Technologies
A genomic selection model, developed at the University of Minnesota, is currently being tested. This research involves building training populations and optimizing models for Kansas growing conditions. Remote sensing technology will be integrated with genomic selection to increase the speed and accuracy of identifying superior breeding material for yield and seed composition.

Developing and utilizing new breeding technologies will improve genetic gain across breeding programs. Advances in genomics have made genotyping cost-effective, but robust models are needed to predict phenotypic performance. Collaborative work with North Central US soybean breeders will test the effectiveness of genomic selection, integrating phenotypic and genotypic data for improved selection accuracy and faster variety development.

3. Drought and Heat Tolerance
We will evaluate commercial soybean varieties and breeding lines for their responses to drought and heat stress, focusing on seed yield and seed composition. Drought-tolerant populations will be tested in replicated field trials under both dryland and irrigated conditions across Kansas and in regional locations. To support the breeding of drought-resistant varieties, we are utilizing drones to collect spectral and thermal data on soybean breeding plots. The early-season rainfall followed by late-season drought conditions provides an opportunity to collect real-time data that captures plant responses to water stress.
Multispectral cameras on drones can detect subtle changes in leaf pigments, such as chlorophyll levels, and variations in canopy structure before any visible signs of drought stress are present. This early detection allows us to identify varieties that maintain higher photosynthetic efficiency under water-limited conditions. Additionally, thermal imagery will be used to measure plant canopy temperature, which increases as water stress reduces transpiration rates.
The goal of this project is to identify and deploy novel genotypes, genes, and markers associated with improved drought and heat tolerance. These markers will be incorporated into breeding lines to develop high-yielding soybean varieties capable of maintaining productivity under challenging environmental conditions.

High temperatures and drought during seed development can significantly reduce yield and modify seed composition. Identifying and developing soybean varieties resilient to these stresses is crucial for stabilizing production. Drones are allowing us to collect extensive data across large breeding plots, providing a high-throughput method to monitor thousands of plants simultaneously. This is particularly useful in seasons like 2024, where environmental stressors fluctuate. By combining spectral and thermal data, we hope to make more informed decisions about which varieties to advance. These technologies can differentiate between plants that are truly tolerant of drought from those simply surviving by slowing growth. This is critical in Kansas, where unpredictable drought patterns, as seen in 2024, necessitate more resilient cultivars. The development of molecular markers for drought and heat tolerance will enhance breeding efforts.
High temperatures and drought stress during seed development can significantly reduce yield and alter seed composition. Developing soybean varieties with enhanced resilience to these stresses is essential for stabilizing production and maintaining profitability for Kansas soybean producers. Drone-based data collection provides a high-throughput method for monitoring thousands of plants simultaneously, enabling comprehensive evaluation of plant responses across large breeding plots.
In years like 2024, where environmental conditions vary drastically, combining spectral and thermal data will enable more precise selection decisions. This technology allows us to differentiate between plants that are truly tolerant of drought from those merely surviving by reducing growth. Such differentiation is critical in Kansas, where unpredictable drought patterns demand soybean cultivars with robust drought resilience. By integrating this data into our breeding program, we aim to develop varieties that can thrive under diverse and fluctuating environmental conditions, ensuring sustainable production even in the face of future climate challenges.

4. Transfer Transgenic Events into Elite Breeding Lines
For SCN resistance events, we will incorporate transgenic traits into early Maturity Group 4 lines with high yield potential from the KSU breeding program. We aim to determine if a synergistic effect can be achieved by stacking multiple resistance sources. Transgenic traits for resistance to Dectes stem borer and SDS will also be incorporated as they become available. Molecular markers will confirm the presence of transgenes, and resistance will be verified through greenhouse and field bioassays.

Transgenic resistance traits against SCN and Fusarium virguliforme will mitigate the economic impact of these pests on soybean production. Integrating these traits with conventional sources of resistance will provide an additional layer of protection and contribute to long-term yield stability.

1. Develop soybean varieties and germplasm (Maturity Groups 3, 4, and 5) for on-farm production and use as genetic resources for public and private breeding programs. Focus on traits including:
o Seed yield.
o High oleic and low linolenic acid soybean oil.
o Desirable levels of protein and oil.
o Stacked traits, such as Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) and Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) resistance, and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance.
2. Improve genetic gain through the development, evaluation, and implementation of breeding technologies, including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and phenomics.
3. Evaluate, identify, and develop germplasm with improved drought and heat tolerance.
4. Transfer desirable transgenic events into elite breeding lines.

1. Variety and Germplasm Development
Advance 10 to 20 soybean breeding lines (MG 3–5) for regional and national evaluation.

Develop and maintain at least 50 breeding populations targeting stacked traits (e.g., SCN, SDS, high oleic).

Submit 1–2 germplasm lines with novel traits to public repositories (e.g., GRIN).

Release at least one high-yielding, Kansas-adapted variety with enhanced composition or resistance traits.

2. Breeding Technology Development and Implementation
Help validate a genomic selection model specific to Kansas environments using a minimum of 300 breeding lines and 4 site-years of KS phenotypic data.

Integrate drone-based spectral/thermal data into prediction models and evaluate prediction accuracy for at least two traits (e.g., yield, NDVI).

Submit one manuscript focused on integration of phenomics into soybean selection models.

3. Heat and Drought Tolerance Evaluation
Evaluate =200 genotypes for drought and heat tolerance under natural stress conditions.

Collect and analyze drone-based spectral and thermal imagery on all drought trials using at least 8 flight dates per site.

Continue investigation of marker development or association studies for traits associated with canopy temperature and spectral stress indicators.

4. Transgenic Trait Integration

Transfer DtcytoP450, and DtLacc2 biotech traits for dectes stem borer resistance to MG4 lines and conduct field assays on transgenic lines.

Transfer Prp-17 and Y25 biotech traits for SCN control to MG4 lines and conduct greenhouse and field assays on transgenic lines.

Additional General Deliverables
Train and mentor 1 or 2 postdoc(s), 2 to 4 graduate students, and 4–6 undergraduate research assistants in soybean breeding technologies.

Host 1–2 field demonstration events for farmers, stakeholders, or cooperating industry partners.

Maintain all data and breeding records in standardized digital formats for inclusion in long-term breeding databases.

Submit annual data summaries and progress reports to the Kansas Soybean Commission.

This public soybean breeding and genetics program develops varieties, germplasm, and genetic resources that can be used directly by farmers or leveraged by other breeders. The benefits, though often indirect, are significant and multifaceted.

Increased Innovation and Variety Development:
Our program provides improved germplasm and genetic resources to other breeders, driving innovation and progress in soybean breeding. This leads to the development of new varieties with enhanced traits such as higher yields, better disease resistance, and improved stress tolerance—traits that meet farmers' needs.

Access to Advanced Traits:
Farmers gain access to varieties developed using our resources, which may have improved oil quality, herbicide resistance, and greater pest and disease tolerance. These advancements offer better adaptability to local growing conditions.

Enhanced Genetic Diversity:
The availability of diverse germplasm broadens the genetic base of breeding programs, resulting in varieties with increased resilience to environmental stress and improved disease resistance, thereby reducing production risks for farmers.

Cost-Effectiveness and Collaboration:
Our resources are cost-effective for other breeders, enabling the development of affordable varieties for farmers. Additionally, collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the breeding community accelerate innovation, leading to rapid dissemination of improved varieties and breeding methods.

Training Future Scientists:
Our program actively involves undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers, providing hands-on training in modern breeding techniques and contributing to workforce development in agriculture.

By supporting the development of new varieties and fostering collaboration, our public breeding program enhances productivity, sustainability, and resilience, ultimately benefiting farmers and advancing the agricultural sector.