U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Global Change and Photosynthesis Research: Urbana, IL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Urbana, Illinois Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Ainsworth, Elizabeth

                                                         - *Lisa*item
                                            Yendrek, Craigitem
                                            Skoneczka, Jeffreyitem
                                            LONG, STEPHEN - University Of Illinois
  Submitted to: Plant Cell and Environment
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/9/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 7/21/2011
                                    Citation: Ainsworth, E.A., Yendrek, C.R., Skoneczka, J.A., Long, S.P. 2011. Accelerating yield potential in soybean: potential targets for biotechnological improvement. Plant Cell and Environment. 35(1):38-52.Interpretive Summary: Soybean (Glycine max Merr.) is the world’s most important oil seed crop and is the second most widely planted crop in the U.S.  Steady improvements in soybean yield have been achieved over the past 90 years from more efficient agricultural management practices and breeding of improved soybean cultivars. However, in order to meet the needs of a growing world population without unsustainably increasing soybean acreage, large increases soybean yields will be required. In this paper, we describe improvements in soybean yields in the U.S. in the past 90 years, and examine potential new targets for achieving significant gains in soybean yields. These targets include improving photosynthetic efficiency, modifying carbon allocation to the phloem and pods, optimizing nitrogen fixation, and synchronizing flowering time. While a single target is unlikely to result in a quantum leap in yields, new technologies that allow for multiple genes to be incorporated into the soybean genome may provide the means for achieving significant yield gains.
                                Technical Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max Merr.) is the world’s most widely grown legume and provides an important source of protein and oil. More efficient agricultural practices and breeding of improved soybean cultivars suited to many latitudes have resulted in steady increases in soybean yields over the past century. However, in order to meet the needs of a growing world population without unsustainably increasing soybean acreage, soybean yields will need to increase at a faster rate than they are currently. In this paper, we describe the basis for the gains in soybean yields realized in the USA in the past 90 years, and examine potential metabolic targets for achieving further improvements in soybean yields and yield potential. These targets include improving photosynthetic efficiency, optimizing delivery and utilization of carbon, more efficient nitrogen fixation and coordinating reproductive development across the plant. While a single target is unlikely to result in a quantum leap in yields, new technologies that allow for multiple genes to be specifically incorporated into the soybean genome may provide the means for achieving significant yield gains.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov