By Andi Anderson
In a bid to enhance soybean tolerance to drought, University of Tennessee researchers are employing advanced technology to develop cutting-edge soybean lines. Early indications suggest that these developments may lead to more resilient soybean crops.
Avat Shekoofa, an associate professor of plant sciences at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has focused her research on identifying traits that bolster soybeans' ability to withstand drought conditions. Collaborating with soybean breeders at the university, they have crossbred established drought-tolerant soybean cultivars to understand how these crucial traits are inherited.
Shekoofa explains, "We've initiated studies on approximately 30 lines resulting from the cross between one of our public cultivars, Ellis, and other drought-tolerant lines. Encouragingly, over 60% of these lines have displayed inherited drought-tolerant traits."
While obtaining seeds for new breeding lines is a time-consuming process, Shekoofa's team has already assessed some of the most promising crosses during the 2023 growing season. Their analysis involves the use of thermal images captured by drones and innovative sensors attached to plant stems. These tools monitor water movement and evaluate the ability of new lines to minimize water loss.
Shekoofa emphasizes the role of technology in expediting the collection of phenotypic data and accelerating the identification of drought-tolerant soybean genotypes. This knowledge could hasten the breeding process, providing farmers with access to drought-resistant soybean varieties earlier.
High oleic soybean varieties cultivated in Tennessee are also undergoing research to assess their drought tolerance. Shekoofa reports that "varieties with lower water loss, as determined by our monitoring, have demonstrated a 28 to 29% yield improvement compared to other varieties."
These promising findings not only signify the potential of high oleic varieties to thrive under extreme weather conditions but also suggest improved protein and oil content. Shekoofa is optimistic that this research will yield drought-resilient soybean varieties, thanks to the support of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board.
As this research continues, Shekoofa plans to investigate how extreme stress affects leaf growth. Leveraging a grant from the National Science Foundation, she is also comparing the value and accuracy of wired and wireless sensors for monitoring water use, movement, and soil health, providing practical recommendations for farmers. This research promises to advance sustainable agriculture and support the future of soybean cultivation.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-gilaxia
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Soybeans