2018
Soybean Nitrogen Metabolism: Investigating a Potential Link between Drought Tolerance, Yield, and Seed Composition
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Abiotic stressAgricultureLand Use Water supply
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Anna Locke, North Carolina State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
18-043
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
$10,500
Institution Funded:
North Carolina State University
$10,500
Brief Project Summary:

Soybean seed composition is a focus for marketing and new variety development. However, composition typically changes under environmental stress. Seed protein content is usually limited by nitrogen availability and transport into the growing seed, and plant nitrogen metabolism is tightly linked with water availability. Thus, plant nitrogen use may be a key connection between drought tolerance in both yield and seed composition. This project builds on previous research, investigating plant nitrogen content under favorable (irrigated) conditions and drought (non-irrigated) conditions, and relating this to seed yield stability and seed composition stability in drought. This will help identify physiological and genetic targets for soybean breeders to develop varieties that maintain seed composition traits during drought.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents, soybean breeders, seed companies

Information And Results
Final Project Results

Soybean varieties vary in their seed protein content and in drought responses. Drought typically lowers yield as well as seed protein, but some varieties have greater protein loss. This project is investigating the interaction between drought responses, nitrogen metabolism, and seed protein. Year 1 allowed for a moderate drought during the early seed fill period at Sandhills Research station. This experiment will be continued to generate data representing a wide range of soil moisture conditions.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.