Researchers working on soybean development

Jul 10, 2020

Scientists from two universities are working to develop varieties that are more resilient to heat

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

University scientists are working on developing soybean varieties that can better withstand some of the stressors of a growing season.

Dr. Bill Schapaugh, an agronomy professor and soybean breeder from Kansas State University (KSU), is leading work on a three-year project to develop varieties that can tolerate heat stress in the post-flowering development stage.

Krishna Jagadish, a crop physiologist from KSU, and Henry Nguyen and Tri Vuong, geneticists from the University of Missouri, are also contributing to the research. The work is funded through a $500,000 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

High daytime temperatures during the post-flowering stage of development can reduce yield and quality, which affects a farmer’s ability to market the crop.

“The long-term goal of this research is to strengthen the development of commercial soybean varieties with improved tolerance to heat stress,” Schapaugh said in a release. “We are focusing on post-flowering because environmental stresses, such as heat, tend to have the largest impact on seed yield and seed composition during this period of growth.”

Additionally, research from Penn State University projects that if warming trends continue, the best corn and soybean growing conditions could shift from Iowa and Illinois to Minnesota and the Dakotas.

To develop new cultivars, Schapaugh’s research team will monitor different cultivars’ yield and composition during heat stress through a process called phenotyping, map genomic regions for sustaining yield and validate haplotypes. A haplotype is a group of DNA characteristics that tend to be inherited together.

The researchers will also grow soybeans in custom tents placed over test plots. The sun will heat the tents, the air inside will be controlled, and electronic panels will help regulate the temperature.

Farms.com has reached out to KSU and farm groups for comment.

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Agricultural Market Update: Grain Prices, Crop Conditions, and Weather Impacts

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Grain Price Decline Grain prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2020, with December corn down 4.3% and November soybeans losing 3.1%. This decline is partly due to the beneficial moisture brought by Hurricane Beryl to the Midwest, which has improved crop conditions significantly. The USDA reported that corn and soybean crops are in their best condition in four years, contributing to the downward pressure on prices.

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Weather Impact and Forecast Hurricane Beryl has brought significant rainfall across Arkansas, Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, with more expected over Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in the coming days. Despite this, the market is currently more focused on the moisture benefits rather than potential heat risks forecasted in the 6-10 and 8-14 day periods.

US Crop Conditions Corn and soybean conditions have shown slight improvements last week, with corn rated 68% good to excellent and soybeans at 68%. These are among the best ratings for this time of year since 2020, suggesting robust crop health that could continue to influence grain prices.

Winter Wheat Harvest and Spring Wheat Conditions The US winter wheat harvest is progressing well, ahead of schedule with significant portions already harvested in Kansas and Texas. Spring wheat conditions are also favorable, with 75% rated good to excellent, although there have been some declines in states like Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington. Brazil's Corn Harvest and US Exports Brazil's second corn crop harvest is advancing rapidly due to favorable hot and dry conditions, with 63% of the crop already harvested. Meanwhile, US corn shipments saw a substantial increase last week, indicating strong export demand, which contrasts with the recent drop in domestic grain prices.

Ongoing Developments Lastly, the USDA reported a flash sale of corn, with significant quantities sold to unknown destinations, scheduled for delivery over the next two marketing years. This could signal ongoing international demand for US corn despite lower prices.

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