Soybean research advances drought tolerance and regional testing in the Americas

Researchers are advancing efforts to improve soybean drought tolerance and cultivar evaluation across the Americas. The National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) has validated physiological indicators, such as proline and chlorophyll levels, that allow for the early identification of soybean genotypes with superior responses to water deficits. This methodology, tested in both greenhouses and fields, aims to help breeders reduce the time required to evaluate large collections of materials by focusing on promising candidates.

Complementing these technical developments, the Regional Network for the Evaluation of Cultivars, Reduction of Production Gaps and Transfer of Innovation (RRECSO-Americas) is establishing a regional network to test soybean maturity groups in over 180 environments. This initiative involves researchers from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, and Peru, with support from the University of Florida and funding from Fontagro. The project seeks to provide producers, seed companies, and crop advisers with comparable performance data through standardized testing protocols and a shared database, facilitating better-adapted cultivar selection across different growing regions.