Breeding of adapted soybeans – initial populations for genomic selection

Soybean is the most important protein plant of the world with increasing acreages also in Germany. One reason is the optimized yield stability due to the use of early soybean varieties developed in Canada and Switzerland. However, for a lasting increase of soybean acreage in Germany it is necessary to further adapt soybeans to German climatic conditions and to increase the protein yield. Therefore, the aim of the project is to develop soybean populations which will be the basis for (i) breeding of early maturing varieties and (ii) are suitable for broad scientific investigations due to their population structure. For this, early maturing soybeans populations will be developed which can be used to get further knowledge about the implementation of genomic selection in practical soybean breeding programs. The populations will be tested and selected in German conditions and provide a basis for a soybean breeding program in Germany.