UT Breeders Initiate Low Phytate Soybean Project UT Breeders Initiate Low Phytate Soybean Project N ew University of Tennessee research to develop low phytate soybeans may open new markets for soybean producers while improving waste management practices for livestock producers. Dr. Vince Pantalone, project leader for the UT Soybean Breeding Program and an assistant professor with the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station , is cooperating with breeders at Purdue University and the University of Maryland to produce new lines of soybeans that have low levels of phytate.
Soybeans are often a component of animal feeds, particularly poultry feeds.
Since phytate is excreted as phosphorus in animal manure, high phytate feed grains increase the phosphorous content of manure. The phosphorus can contaminate surface water if the manure is not properly applied to cropland. Animal waste management and water pollution are primary concerns of state and federal regulatory agencies as well as livestock producers. But Wilcox is retiring this year. Dr. Bill Kenworthy of the University of Maryland and I will be continuing Wilcox's work along with other researchers from Purdue University.