Researchers aim for SCN resistance, improved oil

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Seed oil composition and soybean cyst nematode resistance are among the soybean checkoff-funded research projects currently underway at the University of Illinois.

“One of our focuses is increasing yields, but also focusing on seed composition traits, too, including protein and oil, but also with a focus on other nutrition seed components,” said Eliana Monteverde, U of I assistant professor of plant breeding and genetics, and soybean breeding program lead.

“One of the projects we have with ISA is the evaluation and commercialization of Soyleic varieties. These are lines that have a modified fatty acid profile. The oil that is extracted from this variety is high in oleic acid and low in linoleic acid. This makes for a much more healthy oil because it’s low in saturated fats, and also because of the low linoleic, it extends the shelf life of the oil and it doesn’t get rancid as fast as regular soybean oil.

“The idea of this project is to recover the market share of soybean oil that was lost to palm and canola oil.”

These traits enhance oil quality for cooking and baking and improve digestibility for animal feed.

“This is a non-GMO trait and is composed by four genes, two for the high oleic and two for the low linoleic,” said Monteverde at ISA’s Field Advisor Forum.

“These four genes are patented by the University of Missouri and we license these genes from them. This project allows us to evaluate our lines in more environments.

“We’re currently evaluating our Soyleic lines in six locations across Illinois, and we have been releasing varieties since 2022. Our varieties are now available to sell.”

SCN Resistance

SCN is estimated to cause the largest economic loss to soybean productivity in the United States.

Monteverde also leads a team of researchers working to develop additional lines of varietal resistance to SCN.

Researchers have identified three- and four-gene combinations and will develop lines with those stacks so farmers can rotate different genetic modes of resistance to manage and reduce SCN population.

“One of the main sources we have for SCN resistance is PI 88788 which is composed of one gene. We’ve been playing with this resistance gene for over 20 years and now we’re seeing that there is a resistance break of these varieties and the nematodes have been able to overcome this resistance in recent years,” Monteverde said.

“We also have the Peking source of SCN resistance which is composed of two genes, and then we have a several other genes that were detected that we know provide resistance to SCN.

“The idea of this project is to develop and evaluate both varieties with PI 88788 resistance plus other SCN resistance genes and varieties with Peking resistance plus other genes, too.

“These varieties would have a broader resistance and also the idea is that we can extend this resistance over time by having different modes of SCN resistance.

“Thanks to this project, we are able to both develop and introgress these resistant genes and also to evaluate these lines in the field.”

The goal is have farmers equipped to rotate varieties year-to-year to help reduce SCN inoculum in the soil and virulence over time, as well as delay the onset of nematodes overcoming genetic resistance through diverse genetics.