Project Number: 6645-21000-026-30
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 21, 2008
End Date: Feb 28, 2009

Objective:
a. Develop one or more soybean lines in maturity groups III, IV, and V to be released as varieties or soybean germplasm with 50% oleic acid and 3% linolenic acid that are above average in yield (within 5-10%) compared to the highest yielding commercial cultivars of similar maturity. b. Evaluate and combine genes from plant introductions with higher than average oleic acid content (30 to 53%) and determine if these germplasm sources will be useful in the development of mid-oleic acid soybeans.

Approach:
Use conventional and marker assisted breeding procedures coupled with off season nurseries in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica to develop varieties and germplasm with competitive yield potential and a disease resistance package that is comparable to soybean varieties farmers currently grow on their farms. Evaluate other lines with potentially new genes for desired fatty acid composition for potential use in breeding programs.