Update:
Datahas been collected and entered for yield, maturity date, lodging, plant height, hilum color, seed size, seed color, protein and oil content for 400 F2-derived lines (2 reps, 2 locations), 200 preliminary tested F4-derived lines (2 reps, 3 locations), and 96 advanced tested F4-derived lines (3 reps, 4 locations). These traits are relevant to commodity and/or food grade (tofu, soymilk, natto, sprouts) lines. Yield, maturity date and hilum color was collected for progeny row tests of F4-derived lines (5000 unreplicated plots). This is part of our transition of the breeding program from "early generation selection" methods to "single seed descent" methods. The later should allow us to make more rapid advancement with improved use of winter nurseries. 30 to 60 seed for 186 F2 families was sent to a Puerto Rico winter nursery for generation advancement by single seed descent. This will yield up to 8370 F4-seed that can be planted to produce F4-derived lines in 2018. Yield, maturity, lodging and plant height data was also collected, entered, analyzed, and submitted for all regional tests in which we participate. F1 hybrids from last summer's crossing continue to grow in the greenhouse.
This project was successfully completed in December, 2017. We were able to advance lines such that new specialty materials (e,g, natto and black seeded) are being yield trialed and release of Tofu lines are anticipated). In addition, breeding lines with diverse sources of resistance to SCN were identified.