The potential for flooding in the Delta is certainly much greater than is typical in the Midwest. Dr. Chen leads this study which is a collaboration between several states in the MSSB. The project focuses on flood tolerance at both mid-season and early season stages of soybean development. Note: The University of Missouri is issuing subcontract awards totaling up to $100,000 to other University partners.

1. Screen soybean germplasm and commercial cultivars for genetic tolerance to flooding.
2. Incorporate flood tolerance from identified source(s) into elite cultivars and lines.

This project will identify cultivars with flood tolerance so that specific recommendations can be made to producers. This project will also identify new sources of flood tolerance from diverse germplasm and incorporate such tolerance into high yielding background.

The expected end products from this project will include 1) a publically available and unbiased data set for the commercial varieties tested in state variety testing programs in MO, AR, MS, LA, and TX; 2) a list of high yielding, stable, and locally adapted soybean lines with flood tolerance recommended to the Mid-south farmers; and 3) new and improved breeding lines with flood tolerance to share with other public and private breeding programs for variety development.

Updated December 9, 2019:

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This research will provide flooding-tolerant germplasm and cultivars. The germplasm and cultivars developed in this project will not only improve on-farm profit for soybean production, but also will serve as valuable genetic sources for future breeding programs in both public and private sectors to improve yield and stress tolerance.