Iowa is one of the main soybean producers in the nation, exceptionally competing well in soybean yield with other states of the U.S. and also other countries in the world. The privileged positon of Iowa in soybean yields results from the joint efforts of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP), and the United soybean Board (USB) (check-off funds), the private seed sector industry, and the public research program of Iowa State University. This report informs the results obtained by the ISU soybean breeding program lead by Cianzio, and funded by the ISA. Since the 1990s, the project has released numerous cultivars and germplasm lines that have been distributed and used by soybean breeding programs in the private and public sector (Appendix 1 – Poster 1-31-201 attached to this report).

The ISU research project centers on increasing the yield of soybean by breeding, releasing high-yielding germplasms and cultivars, and expand the genetic diversity of the soybean crop. T his is achieved by searching, discovery, and introgression of new resistance genes into adapted cultivars to protect the soybeans and their potential yield capacity.

The objectives are achieved by a deeply intense basic and applied research program, that includes: 1) pathogen screenings under controlled (greenhouse/growth chamber), and field conditions, 2) agronomic and yield evaluations conducted in field replicated experiments throughout Iowa and the northern soybean production region of the U.S., and 3) using state-to- the-art molecular analyses. The work is closely coordinated with plant pathologists, molecular geneticists and bio-informaticians. Stringent selection and testing programs are implemented to identify the resistant high-yielding cultivars and germplasms for release. The release of these materials to seed companies and other public institutions and use of cultivars by farmers contribute to the superiority of Iowa in soybean production.

Accomplishments. During the period of this report:

• 7 new germplasm lines were released, 6 possessing resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN), and 1 with dual resistance to SCN and sudden death syndrome (SDS);

• 57 materials and transfer agreements were signed;

• 1 PhD student graduated advised by Cianzio.
Objective 1. Deliver high yielding soybean, accomplished by crossing highly productive cultivars among themselves to pathogen-resistant parents.

This deceivingly simple objective requires extensive and intense research in pathology, plant physiology and molecular genetics.

Objective 2. Resistance to 4 yield deterrent diseases (Phytophthora Root Rot, Brown Stem Rot, Sudden Death Syndrome and Soybean Cyst Nematode).

Additional comments. During FY 2016, two pathogens were greatly emphasized, SCN and SDS. It is the philosophy of the project that due to the simultaneous occurrence of both pathogens in the majority of the commercial soybean fields in the state, it is extremely important to release soybean lines possessing resistance to both pathogens.

Due to the lack of interest for soybean resistance to Brown Stem Rot (BSR), coupled with funding constrains, Cianzio and her lab decided to de-emphasize the work on this disease.

Objective 3. Search for new resistant genes is continuous and imperative. New and novel genes are required to successfully protect the soybean from development of new pathogenic types.

Conduct of the work. It is done at two geographic locations, Iowa, and Puerto Rico. The project makes a most efficient use of both sites, and this allows a short enough time from crossing to product development and release.

- 7 germplasm lines released with resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode, and to Sudden Death Syndrome.
- 57 Materials and transfer Agreements were signed.

Benefit to Soybean Farmers: (This explains the potential impact to farmers based on research project being done) 250 words

Research impact to farmers – 57 Material Transfer Agreements were signed between Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF) and private and public soybean programs for use of the genetics released by the project during 2015-2016.

Use of the ISU genetics is for:
1. Commercialization – Seed companies license the cultivars which in turn are sold to farmers for commercial plantings, under companies main brand name.
2. Breeding and development – Private and public programs license the ISU genetics for use in developing their own lines.
a. Public soybean breeders used of ISU genetics is known.
b. Private seed companies do not release parentage, it is proprietary information. Cianzio, ISURF and ISU still know that the genetics is used because of the records maintained on the Material Transfer Agreements.

Final Project Results:

Released: 7 germplasm lines.
Signed: 57 MTAs
Published: 1 registration article about germplasm releases; 7 research papers in scientific journals of national and international stature
Graduated: 1 students (PhD)