Diverse Pedigree Research Articles

Registration of USDA‐N7005 soybean germplasm with high yield and 62.5% pedigree from Japanese accessions Tamahikari and PI 416937

AbstractUSDA‐N7005 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. no. GP‐457, PI 699962) was released by the USDA‐ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in August 2021. USDA‐N7005 is an early‐maturity group VII, F4‐derived germplasm with excellent yield potential that traces 62.5% of its pedigree to Japanese accessions that are not part of the historical genetic base of U.S. soybean breeding. Currently, Japanese germplasm constitutes only a small portion of the U.S. soybean base. USDA‐N7005 was derived from the cross of cultivar ‘USDA‐N7002’ × Japanese cultivar ‘Tamahikari’. USDA‐N7005 traces 12.5% of its ancestry to Japanese landrace PI 416937 via USDA‐N7002 and 50% to Japanese cultivar Tamahikari. USDA‐N7005 is the second public release in the United States derived from Tamahikari. Over 13 environments of the United Soybean Board Southern Diversity Yield Trials and 19 test environments of the USDA Uniform Soybean Tests‐Southern States, USDA‐N7005 yielded 108% (p < .05) and 101% of the adapted parent cultivar USDA‐N7002, respectively, and matured 2–3 d earlier. The new release also yielded 100% of check cultivars ‘NC‐Roy’ and ‘USDA‐N7003CN’ and 96% of cultivar ‘NC‐Dilday’ in the Uniform Tests. USDA‐N7005 was similar in height and lodging to parent USDA‐N7002 but exhibited elevated seed oil content and larger seed size. USDA‐N7005 was resistant to root‐knot nematode and stem canker, with resistance comparable to that of resistant parent USDA‐N7002. The superior agronomic performance and diverse pedigree of USDA‐N7005 make it desirable parental stock for broadening the base of U.S. soybean breeding.

Registration of G11‐7013 soybean germplasm with high meal protein and resistance to soybean cyst nematode, southern root‐knot nematode, and stem canker

AbstractG11‐7013 (Reg. no. GP‐447, PI 699240) is a conventional maturity group (MG) VII soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] line. It contains a 50% genetic background of an accession from South Africa by pedigree, with resistance to soybean cyst nematode race 3 (Heterodera glycines), southern root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), and stem canker (Diaporthe aspalathi) and high meal protein. G11‐7013 was developed and released by the University of Georgia (UGA) Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2020. G11‐7013 is an F5–derived plant selection from ‘Boggs’ × PI 221717. G11‐7013 consistently yielded more than the elite parent Boggs in UGA advanced yield trials. Across 25 environments in the United Soybean Board Southern Protein Diversity Yield Trials MG‐VII, G11‐7013 yielded a range of 93–104% of the elite check cultivar mean over 5 yr, with an average of 98% of check means. G11‐7013 has a protein content of 436 g kg–1, a meal protein value of 51%, and an oil content of 217 g kg–1. G11‐7013 exceeds the desired meal protein levels required for soybean and derives from a diverse genetic background. Because of its high yield, high protein content, disease resistance package, and diverse pedigree, G11‐7013 can be used as a parental stock in both public and private sectors to develop high‐yielding, high‐meal‐protein soybean cultivars.

Registration of Tx3440 through Tx3482 sorghum germplasm

AbstractThe sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines Tx3440–Tx3482 (Reg. no. GP‐900–GP‐942, PI 695271–PI 695313) were developed and released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock, TX, in 2020. Breeding crosses from these lines were made in Lubbock, TX, with grow‐out and selection of subsequent generations completed in breeding nurseries throughout Texas over a period of years. Once selected, these lines were test for agronomic performance in replicated trials across multiple locations and years. Within the set, Tx3340–Tx3482 represent diverse pedigrees and an array of combinations of grain color, plant color, and other agronomic traits. The lines are individually resistant to selected abiotic (pre‐ and/or post‐flowering drought) stress and biotic stress (grain weathering caused by diverse genera that include Fusarium spp., Curvularia spp., and Alternaria spp.; and anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineola). These lines provide the sorghum industry with sources of drought tolerance, grain weathering, and anthracnose resistance in a diverse array of elite genetic backgrounds for use as seed parent lines for hybrid production and for new line development.

Resistance to Thrips in Peanut and Implications for Management of Thrips and Thrips-Transmitted Orthotospoviruses in Peanut.

Thrips are major pests of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) worldwide, and they serve as vectors of devastating orthotospoviruses such as Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV). A tremendous effort has been devoted to developing peanut cultivars with resistance to orthotospoviruses. Consequently, cultivars with moderate field resistance to viruses exist, but not much is known about host resistance to thrips. Integrating host plant resistance to thrips in peanut could suppress thrips feeding damage and reduce virus transmission, will decrease insecticide usage, and enhance sustainability in the production system. This review focuses on details of thrips resistance in peanut and identifies future directions for incorporating thrips resistance in peanut cultivars. Research on thrips–host interactions in peanut is predominantly limited to field evaluations of feeding damage, though, laboratory studies have revealed that peanut cultivars could differentially affect thrips feeding and thrips biology. Many runner type cultivars, field resistant to TSWV, representing diverse pedigrees evaluated against thrips in the greenhouse revealed that thrips preferred some cultivars over others, suggesting that antixenosis “non-preference” could contribute to thrips resistance in peanut. In other crops, morphological traits such as leaf architecture and waxiness and spectral reflectance have been associated with thrips non-preference. It is not clear if foliar morphological traits in peanut are associated with reduced preference or non-preference of thrips and need to be evaluated. Besides thrips non-preference, thrips larval survival to adulthood and median developmental time were negatively affected in some peanut cultivars and in a diploid peanut species Arachis diogoi (Hoehne) and its hybrids with a Virginia type cultivar, indicating that antibiosis (negative effects on biology) could also be a factor influencing thrips resistance in peanut. Available field resistance to orthotospoviruses in peanut is not complete, and cultivars can suffer substantial yield loss under high thrips and virus pressure. Integrating thrips resistance with available virus resistance would be ideal to limit losses. A discussion of modern technologies such as transgenic resistance, marker assisted selection and RNA interference, and future directions that could be undertaken to integrate resistance to thrips and to orthotospoviruses in peanut cultivars is included in this article.

Registration of G13‐6299 Soybean Germplasm Line with Diverse Pedigree

The soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line G13‐6299 (Reg. No. GP‐415, PI 682087) was developed and released by the University of Georgia (UGA) Agricultural Experiment Stations. G13‐6299 is an F5–derived plant selection from G00‐3213 × LG04‐6000. G13‐6299 is a conventional maturity group (MG) VII line containing 19% exotic germplasm by pedigree. G13‐6299 is derived from a wide cross of southern germplasm, G00‐3213 (MG VII), by northern germplasm, LG04‐6000 (MG IV). The genetic basis of US soybean germplasm is narrow, a problem that is further exacerbated by breeding material being grouped into northern versus southern germplasm. G13‐6299 combines beneficial diversity from both northern and southern germplasm to produce a high‐yielding southern germplasm line with a uniquely diverse genetic background. G13‐6299 yielded 110 and 112% of two elite check cultivars across five environments in yield trials conducted by the UGA Soybean Breeding Program. G13‐6299 also yielded 102 to 107% of four elite check cultivars across nine environments in the United Soybean Board Diversity MG‐7 Test. G13‐6299 possesses resistance to soybean cyst nematode (race 3) (Heterodera glycines) and moderate resistance to southern root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). The diversity, yield, and desirable agronomic characteristics of G13‐6299 make this line ideal for use as germplasm to develop superior yielding soybean cultivars in the United States with genetic diversity.

Variation in the response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) breeding lines to the effects of benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazole‐7‐carbothioic acid S‐methyl ester (BTH) on systemic acquired resistance and seed germination

AbstractGenetic variation may play a major role in how plants respond to activators of systemic acquired resistance. To examine this, the defence activator benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole‐7‐carbothioic acid S‐methyl ester (BTH) was applied to seed of different breeding lines of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with diverse pedigrees, and the levels of induced resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, changes in defence gene expression and detrimental effects on seed germination and seedling emergence were measured. Two breeding lines, 7007 and 7024, were selected as non‐responsive and responsive to BTH. The SAR‐associated genes, SlPR1a and SlPR3b, were induced earlier or more strongly over the control prior to inoculation for line 7024 but not for line 7007. This was not observed for the ISR‐related genes, SlPin2 and SlPR2b. BTH inhibition of seed germination and seedling emergence was more delayed in line 7024 than 7007. However, applying BTH as a seed or soil drip reduced the delay. Thus, greater levels of BTH response have both positive (i.e., induced resistance and expression of SAR‐related gene expression) and negative (i.e., inhibition of seed germination and seedling emergence) effects and can differ significantly between genotypes. Thus, recommendations for use of induced resistance activators should include plant genotype recommendations and consider possible negative impacts of greater responsiveness.

QTL mapping and breeding value estimation through pedigree-based analysis of fruit size and weight in four diverse peach breeding programs

The narrow genetic base of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) challenges efforts to accurately dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits. Standardized phenotypic assessment of pedigree-linked breeding germplasm and new molecular strategies and analytical approaches developed and conducted during the RosBREED project for enabling marker-assisted breeding (MAB) in Rosaceae crops has overcome several aspects of this challenge. The genetic underpinnings of fruit size (fruit equatorial diameter (FD)) and weight (fresh weight (FW)), two most important components of yield, were investigated using the pedigree-based analysis (PBA) approach under a Bayesian framework which has emerged as an alternative strategy to study the genetics of quantitative traits within diverse breeding germplasm across breeding programs. In this study, a complex pedigree with the common founder “Orange Cling” was identified and FD and FW data from 2011 and 2012 analyzed. A genetic model including genetic additive and dominance effects was considered, and its robustness was evaluated by using various prior and initial values in the Markov chain Monte Carlo procedure. Five QTLs were identified which accounted for up to 29 and 17 % of the phenotypic variation for FD and FW, respectively. Additionally, genomic breeding values were obtained for both traits, with accuracies >85 %. This approach serves as a model study for performing PBA across diverse pedigrees. By incorporating multiple breeding programs, the method and results presented support and highlight the ability of this strategy to identify genomic resources as targets for DNA marker development and subsequent MAB within each program.

GHEP-ISFG collaborative simulated exercise for DVI/MPI: Lessons learned about large-scale profile database comparisons

The GHEP-ISFG Working Group has recognized the importance of assisting DNA laboratories to gain expertise in handling DVI or missing persons identification (MPI) projects which involve the need for large-scale genetic profile comparisons. Eleven laboratories participated in a DNA matching exercise to identify victims from a hypothetical conflict with 193 missing persons. The post mortem database was comprised of 87 skeletal remain profiles from a secondary mass grave displaying a minimal number of 58 individuals with evidence of commingling. The reference database was represented by 286 family reference profiles with diverse pedigrees. The goal of the exercise was to correctly discover re-associations and family matches. The results of direct matching for commingled remains re-associations were correct and fully concordant among all laboratories. However, the kinship analysis for missing persons identifications showed variable results among the participants. There was a group of laboratories with correct, concordant results but nearly half of the others showed discrepant results exhibiting likelihood ratio differences of several degrees of magnitude in some cases. Three main errors were detected: (a) some laboratories did not use the complete reference family genetic data to report the match with the remains, (b) the identity and/or non-identity hypotheses were sometimes wrongly expressed in the likelihood ratio calculations, and (c) many laboratories did not properly evaluate the prior odds for the event. The results suggest that large-scale profile comparisons for DVI or MPI is a challenge for forensic genetics laboratories and the statistical treatment of DNA matching and the Bayesian framework should be better standardized among laboratories.

A simple ssr analysis for genetic diversity estimation of maize landraces

A collection of 2217 landraces from western Balkan (former Yugoslavia) is maintained at Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje gene bank. Nine flint and nine dent accessions from six agro-ecological groups (races), chosen on the basis of diverse pedigrees, were analyzed for genetic relatedness using phenotypic and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. One of the aims was to establish a reliable set of SSR markers for a rapid diversity analysis using polyacrilamide gels and ethidium bromide staining. In the principal component analysis (PCA) the first three principal components accounted for 80.86% of total variation and separated most of the flint from dent landraces. Ten SSR primers revealed a total of 56 and 63 alleles in flint and dent landraces, respectively, with low stuttering and good allele resolution on the gels. High average PIC value (0.822) also supports informativeness and utility of the markers used in this study. Higher genetic variation was observed among flint genotypes, as genetic distances between flint landraces covered a larger range of values (0.11- 0.38) than between dent (0.22 - 0.33) genotypes. Both phenotypic and SSR analyses distinguished flint and dent landraces, but neither of them could abstract agro-ecological groups. The SSR method used gave clear, easy to read band patterns that could be used for reliable allele frequency determination. Genetic diversity revealed for both markers indicated that the landraces were highly adapted to specific environmental conditions and purposes and could be valuable sources of genetic variability. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31028: Exploitation of maize diversity to improve grain quality and drought tolerance] . <br><br><font color="red"><b> This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/GENSR1602801E">10.2298/GENSR1602801E</a><u></b></font>

Registration of Tx3364 through Tx3407 Grain Weathering-Resistant Sorghum Germplasm

The sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines Tx3364 through Tx3407 (Reg. No. GP-793 to GP-836, PI 669511 to PI 669554) were developed and released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock, TX, in 2013. Breeding crosses from most of these lines were made in Lubbock, TX, and grow out and selection of subsequent generations were completed in breeding nurseries throughout Texas over a period of years. Once selected, these lines were tested for agronomic performance and grain weathering in replicated trials over a period of 4 yr. Tx3364 through Tx3407 germplasm lines are resistant to grain weathering caused by diverse fungal genera that include Fusarium spp., Curvularia spp., and Alternaria spp. They are of diverse pedigree and parentage and represent an array of combinations for grain color, plant color, and other agronomic traits. These lines provide the sorghum industry with sources of grain weathering resistance in elite genetic backgrounds.

A penalized linear mixed model for genomic prediction using pedigree structures.

Genetic Analysis Workshop 18 provided a platform for evaluating genomic prediction power based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms from single-nucleotide polymorphism array data and sequencing data. Also, Genetic Analysis Workshop 18 provided a diverse pedigree structure to be explored in prediction. In this study, we attempted to combine pedigree information with single-nucleotide polymorphism data to predict systolic blood pressure. Our results suggested that the prediction power based on pedigree information only could be unsatisfactory. Using additional information such as single-nucleotide polymorphism genotypes would improve prediction accuracy. In particular, the improvement can be significant when there exist a few single-nucleotide polymorphisms with relatively larger effect sizes. We also compared the prediction performance based on genome-wide association study data (ie, common variants) and sequencing data (ie, common variants plus low-frequency variants). The experimental result showed that inclusion of low frequency variants could not lead to improvement of prediction accuracy.

AlphaMPSim: flexible simulation of multi-parent crosses.

Multi-parent crosses of recombinant inbred lines exist in many species for fine-scale analysis of genome structure and marker-trait association. These populations encompass a wide range of crossing designs with varying potential. AlphaMPSim is a flexible simulation program that is efficiently designed for comparison of alternative designs for traits with varying genetic architectures and biallelic markers with densities up to full sequence. A large pool of founder haplotypes can be supplied by the user, or generated via integration with external coalescent simulation programs such as MaCS. From these, diverse founders for multi-parent designs can be generated automatically, and users can compare designs generated from diverse pedigrees. Full tracking of identity by descent status of alleles within the pedigree is undertaken, and output files are compatible with commonly available analysis packages in R. Executable versions of AlphaMPSim for Mac and Linux and a user manual are available at http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/john-hickey/software-packages/.

OptiMAS: a decision support tool to conduct marker-assisted selection programs.

Ongoing major advances in plant genotyping and phenotyping lead to a better understanding of genetic architecture of agronomical traits. In this context, it is important to develop decision support tools to help breeders in implementing marker-assisted selection (MAS) projects to assemble new allele combinations. Algorithms have been developed within an interactive graphical interface to (a) trace parental QTL alleles throughout selection generations, (b) propose strategies to select the best plants based on estimated molecular scores, and (c) efficiently intermate them depending on the expected value of their progenies. By investigating multi-allelic context and diverse pedigree structure, OptiMAS enables to assemble favorable alleles issued from diverse parents and further accelerate genetic gain.

Registration of G08PR‐394 and G09PR‐80 Soybean Germplasm Lines with Diverse Pedigrees

Increasing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield is a major goal of soybean breeding programs. Expanding the genetic diversity of the elite U.S. soybean gene pool is essential to maintain or increase the current rate of genetic gain for seed yield due to the current narrow genetic base of existing elite soybean germplasm. To increase the genetic diversity of southern U.S. soybean cultivars, two soybean lines—G08PR‐394 (Reg. No. GP‐380, PI 667741) and G09PR‐80 (Reg. No. GP‐381, PI 667742)—were developed and released by the University of Georgia agricultural experiment stations. G08PR‐394 is an F5 plant selection from ‘5601T’ × R01‐3637F and has 25% of its pedigree from a Japanese cultivar Misuzu Daizu (PI 423912). G08PR‐394 is a maturity group VI line that yielded 2, 4, and 20% greater than the seed yield of check genotypes: N6202, ‘Young’ and ‘N6201’. G09PR‐80 is an F5 plant selection from the 5601T × PI 157440 cross having 50% of its pedigree from a South Korean accession (PI 157440). G09PR‐80 is a maturity group V line that produced 95, 93, 87, and 84% of the seed yield of the check genotypes: ‘Dillon’, ‘Hutcheson’, JTN‐5503, and its elite parent 5601T. G09PR‐80 is resistant to bacterial pustule [caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines (Nakano) Dye] and southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood]. Based on their broad diversity and favorable yield potential, these lines could be used as parents to enhance genetic diversity and develop commercial cultivars.

Registration of R99–1613F, R01–2731F, and R01–3474F Soybean Germplasm Lines with Diverse Pedigrees

R99–1613F (Reg. No. GP‐372, PI 659987), R01–2731F (Reg. No. GP‐374, PI 659989), and R01–3474F (Reg. No. GP‐373, PI 659988) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were developed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Fayetteville, AR and were released as high‐yielding conventional germplasm lines with 50% diverse pedigrees. R99–1613F is an F4 plant selection from the cross between ‘NK RA 452’ and PI 290126B. It is an indeterminate maturity group (MG) IV line with a yield potential similar to that of the popular Roundup Ready cultivar ‘AG4403’. R01–2731F is a determinate MG VI line derived from the cross ‘Caviness’ × PI 592947. Yield potential of R01–2731F is similar to or greater than conventional MG VI cultivar ‘Dillon’. R01–3474F was derived from Caviness × PI 594208. It is a determinate MG V line with a yield potential similar to that of the high‐yielding conventional cultivar ‘5601T’. These germplasm lines can be used as elite parents to improve yield and to enhance genetic diversity.

Development of breeder-friendly markers for selection of MIPS1 mutations in soybean

Mutations in the d-myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase 1 gene (MIPS1) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cause modifications to seed phosphorus and carbohydrate content that improve the nutritional value of food and feed. Molecular markers are an efficient tool for breeding MIPS1 mutant germplasm due to reduced seed germination and field emergence potential. An F2 population segregating for the MIPS1 mutation found in experimental soybean line V99-5089 was used to develop breeder-friendly markers. Markers were validated in 88 advanced lines from 9 diverse pedigrees. Ten potential simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, located on Gm11, from the new BARCSOYSSR_1.0 database were tested and four were polymorphic. BARCSOY_11_1495 was 93–97% effective for selecting the mutation. A KBiosciences Competitive Allele Specific PCR (KASPar) assay was developed to select directly for the V99-5089-derived MIPS1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation. The KASPar assay is simple and cost-effective compared to other SNP genotyping assays. The MIPS1 mutation in V99-5089 is likely to have occurred spontaneously. We describe a method of DNA extraction in soybean using a Geno/Grinder for fast and easy tissue maceration.

Registration of Tx2935 through Tx2944 Sorghum Germplasm

The sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines Tx2935 through Tx2944 (Reg. No. GP‐674, PI 650871 to Reg. No. GP‐683, PI 650880) were developed and released by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station—now Texas AgriLife Research—College Station, TX in 2004. These germplasm lines were selected and developed to provide the sorghum industry with elite seed‐parent sorghum germplasm of diverse pedigree with good general combining ability and unique combinations of grain color, plant color, agronomic traits, and resistance to head smut [caused by Sporosorium relianum) (Kuhn) Langdon & Fullerton], rust [caused by Puccinia purpurea (Cooke)], and anthracnose [caused by Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G.W. Wilson]. These lines were developed using the pedigree breeding approach with selection environments in Texas and Puerto Rico. Each of these germplasms was then evaluated in testcross combinations (with common seed parent testers) in multiple environments in Texas. Each of these germplasms showed good general combining ability and adaption for Texas sorghum production environments. This germplasm is suitable for use as a pollinator parent for the production of grain sorghum hybrids or as a parental source for the development of improved pollinator parent lines

Registration of Tx2929 through Tx2934 Sorghum Germplasm

The sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines A/BTx2929 through A/BTx2934 (Reg. No. GP‐662, PI 650859 to Reg. No. GP‐673, PI 650870) were developed and released by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station—now Texas AgriLife Research—College Station, TX, in 2004. These germplasm lines were selected and developed to provide the sorghum industry with elite seed‐parent sorghum germplasm of diverse pedigree with good general combining ability and unique combinations of grain color, plant color, agronomic traits, and resistance to head smut [caused by Sporosorium relianum) (Kuhn) Langdon & Fullerton], rust [caused by Puccinia purpurea (Cooke)], and anthracnose [caused by Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G.W. Wilson]. These lines were developed using the pedigree breeding approach, and selections were carried out in Texas and Puerto Rico. Male‐sterile versions of these seed parents were produced using backcross breeding approaches and ATx623 as the source of male‐sterile cytoplasm. Backcrossing was conducted at either the Texas or Puerto Rico locations. Each of these germplasms was then evaluated in testcross combinations (with common pollinator parents) in multiple environments in Texas. Each of these germplasms showed good general combining ability and adaption for Texas sorghum production environments. This germplasm is suitable for use as a seed parent for the production of grain or forage sorghum hybrids or as parental sources for the development of improved seed parent lines.

Registration of N6202 Soybean Germplasm with High Protein, Favorable Yield Potential, Large Seed, and Diverse Pedigree

‘N6202’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. GP‐366, PI 658498) was cooperatively developed and released by the USDA–ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in October 2009 as a mid–Maturity Group VI germplasm with high‐protein seed, favorable yield potential, large seed size, and diverse pedigree. The unusual combination of high protein and favorable yield in this germplasm, plus its diverse genetic background, makes it a potentially desirable breeding stock for both specialty and commodity breeding programs. N6202 was developed through conventional breeding and is adapted to the southern United States. Average seed protein level was 457 g kg−1 (zero moisture basis), which was 33 g kg−1 greater (p < 0.05) than that of the control cultivar NC‐Roy. Average yield of N6202 was more than 90% of NC‐Roy over 65 environments. The 100‐seed weight of N6202 (21.4 g) was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that of the largest‐seeded control cultivar Dillon (15.2 g).Twenty‐five percent of N6202's pedigree is derived from Japanese cultivar Fukuyataka. Fukuyataka is not known to be related to the genetic base of U.S. soybean. An additional 25% of N6202's pedigree traces to the Japanese cultivar Nakasennari, which appears in the pedigree of only one cultivar (its parent ‘N6201’). Thus, the release of N6202 broadens the genetic range of materials adapted for soybean breeding in the United States. N6202 exhibits a moderate level of the bleeding hilum trait in some environments.

Registration of LG04‐6863 Soybean Germplasm Line with Diverse Pedigree

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line LG04‐6863 (Reg. No. GP‐364, PI 658307) was developed and released by the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Delta Center, Portageville, MO, the USDA–ARS, and the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, Urbana, IL. It was approved for release May 2009. LG04‐6863 is an F5 plant selection composited in the F6 generation from ‘Rend’ × LG97‐9486. It has shown high yield potential in tests across the southern United States with 38% of its pedigree from plant introductions and unique diversity not known in soybeans adapted to southern U.S. environments. LG04‐6863 (relative maturity 4.4) has yielded, 101, 100, and 97% of yields of ‘Asgrow AG4403’ (3193, 4047, and 3833 kg ha−1), a widely grown Roundup Ready cultivar of similar maturity, across eight locations in the USDA Uniform Preliminary Early Group IV Test–Southern States; eight locations in the United Soybean Board Southern Early Group IV Diversity Trials; and 15 southeastern Missouri tests, respectively. It is resistant to stem canker and bacterial pustule. Reaction to phytophthora root rot (PRR; caused by Phytophthora sojae M.J. Kaufmann & J.W. Gerdemann) is unknown, but LG04‐6863 has shown good performance on heavy clay soils where PRR often occurs. Soybean introductions have been under utilized in breeding programs. LG04‐6863 will have use as an elite parent in soybean breeding programs to improve yield and broaden the germplasm base.