ARS | Publication request: Hybrid Soybean: a Positive Progress Report

Submitted to: American Farm Bureau Federation Publication
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: January 10, 2005
Publication Date: January 10, 2005
Citation: Palmer, R.G., Ortiz-Perez, E., Cervantez-Martinez, I.G., Horner, H.T., Hanlin, S.J., Wiley, H., Davis, W.H. 2005. Hybrid soybean:a positive progress report. American Farm Bureau Federation Publication. Paper No. 24.

Technical Abstract: An economical way of producing large quantities of F1 hybrid soybean seed is not available. The greatest challenge is the efficient transfer of pollen from the male to the female parent, which can be achieved by specific pollinator insects. Our hypothesis is that seed-set on male-sterile plants is a direct indicator of pollinator attraction/reward. The goal was to evaluate seed-set among different male-sterile soybean lines using pollinator insects. We have increased hybrid seed-set four-fold on certain male-sterile lines by using conventional plant breeding. Hybrid soybean production could be a reality for US farmers in the near future.