Screening for soybean varieties suited to Belgian growing conditions based on maturity, yield components and resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 2-2IIIB

Joke Pannecoucque, Sofie Goormachtigh, Kurt Heungens, Tim Vleugels, Johan Ceusters, Chris Van Waes, Johan Van Waes

    Onderzoeksoutput: Bijdrage aan tijdschriftA1: Web of Science-artikelpeer review

    Uittreksel

    Policy makers and farmers in north-west Europe are expressing a growing interest in soybean production. However, cool and wet climatic conditions in this region pose challenges for this crop in terms of reaching maturity and producing sufficient yield and create additional disease pressure from the fungal pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani. To increase the chance for successful introduction of this new crop in Belgium and to determine the main issues for local soybean breeding programmes, 14 early maturing varieties were screened over a 2-year-period for their agronomic performance. Based on novel bioassays, susceptibility to S. sclerotiorum and R. solani anastomosis group (AG) 2-2IIIB was evaluated. The varieties tested were able to reach sufficient maturity (average seed moisture content of 19.0%) by the beginning of October. Significant differences were observed in most agronomic characteristics, with seed yield and protein content ranging from 2002 to 2916 kg dry matter/ha and 35.5–43.3%, respectively. Taller varieties ripened later but reached higher protein levels compared with shorter varieties. Tolerance to lodging was correlated with seed and protein yield but was not correlated with plant height. Large seeds corresponded with a high protein content. Susceptibility to S. sclerotiorum reflected significant differences between varieties. In contrast, levels of susceptibility to R. solani AG 2-2IIIB were similar between most varieties, with only the variety Primus showing significantly less disease. The results of the current study hold promise for a successful introduction of soybean cultivation in north-west Europe and areas for further crop improvement have been identified.
    Oorspronkelijke taalEngels
    TijdschriftThe Journal of Agricultural Science
    Volume156
    Exemplaarnummer3
    Pagina's (van-tot)342-349
    ISSN1469-5146
    DOI's
    PublicatiestatusGepubliceerd - 6-jun-2018

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