USB, ASA partner with researchers to crack genome code

Researchers predict entire germplasm collection will be analyzed in three years

As researchers learn more about the soybean genome, U.S. soybean farmers reap the benefits. That's why farmer-leaders from the American Soybean Association and United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff commit time, energy and resources to advancing soybean research. To keep the momentum going, the soybean checkoff is funding a new genomics project that will open a new world of possibilities in improving soybean varieties.

Farmer-leaders with USB and ASA have met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service officials and are encouraged about the possibility of additional help in funding this project. ASA helps to secure Federal funding for soybean yield, genomics and disease research. USB invests checkoff funding in projects to help farmers manage yield-robbing diseases and pests and to improve soybean composition. Having all three organizations contributing to the success of this project will be essential for further success.

"This genomics project will greatly aid soybean-breeding efforts," says Ike Boudreaux, USB chairman and soybean farmer from Lebeau, La. "Ultimately, improved varieties will be available to farmers much faster. Our friends at ASA and USDA are playing critical roles in making this type of research a reality for farmers. The checkoff will also play a significant role in not only helping fund research, but relaying valuable information about new discoveries to farmers."

With funding from the soybean checkoff, USDA-ARS scientists will analyze each of the nearly 20,000 lines in the USDA-ARS soybean germplasm collection and will be identifying approximately 50,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism genetic markers for each line. Examples of SNPs include markers for rust resistance or for improved oil composition. The entire USDA-ARS germplasm collection is expected to be analyzed in three years.

By mapping more SNP genetic markers, plant breeders can work more efficiently to determine the location of genes controlling seed quality, disease and stress resistance. The additional mapped SNP markers will not only enable a more precise assembly of the sequenced genome, the genome will be more accurately anchored to the physical and genetic map. All of these actions should result in improved tools for soybean breeders and should lead to quicker, more efficient development of new soybean varieties to meet the changing needs of the market.

"ASA has long recognized the importance of public research in improving soybean yields," says John Hoffman, ASA president and soybean farmer from Waterloo, Iowa. "This joint partnership between ASA, USDA and USB is a significant step forward in producer profitability. ASA has been successful in garnering appropriations of $40 million annually for soybean research. Leveraging checkoff dollars and federal appropriations is important to meet the growing global demand for soybeans."

"Our overall goal is to harness the remarkable recent developments in rapid genome analysis to construct a new, highly detailed, high-resolution description of the genetic diversity contained within soybean and its close wild relatives," said Edward B. Knipling, ARS administrator. "Although such a goal was previously unattainable, the comprehensive new knowledge generated by this project may serve as a road map for constructing the shortest, most efficient pathways to identifying soybean genes, their functions and their variants. That information is also a key to exploiting the genetic variability in the large USDA-ARS soybean germplasm collection for the purpose of breeding superior soybean varieties."

ASA is the domestic and international policy advocate for U.S. soybean farmers. ASA is tasked with accomplishing the policy goals established by the farmer members. ASA works on behalf of U.S. soybean producers in Washington, D.C., and around the globe to influence the issues affecting soybean producer profitability. ASA is a grassroots voluntary membership organization.

USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

4/7/08
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Date: 3/31/08

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