Through a partnership with North Carolina State University, the association invests farmers’ checkoff dollars in practical agricultural research projects. The benefit of much of this research is demonstrated to producers by Cooperative Extension Service specialists at conferences, test plots and field days across the state. The soybean checkoff provides the resource, and the association and the university working together prioritize research funding. This investment in research pays off through innovative new ways to minimize the per-unit cost of soybean production and maximize farm profitability.
The board of directors prioritizes research funding opportunities and the membership approves research awards at the Annual Meeting held every January. Many projects are in fact funded over a number of years, reflecting the long-term and continuous nature of soybean research.
In 2009/2010, the association funded the following research projects:
Continuation of Off-season Winter Nursery for Soybean Breeding in North Carolina; David Smith (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($13,500).
The objective of this research is to take breeding materials through one or two generations of inbreeding in the winter nursery. This project will speed the development of soybean lines with drought tolerance, higher protein, improved oil quality and soyfood quality traits.
Soybean Cultivars and Germplasm Adapted to North Carolina Growing Conditions; Andrea J. Cardinal (Crop Science, North Carolina State University); ($44,985).
The objectives of this project are to: 1) Test the agronomic performance and yield potential of new conventional and Roundup Ready lines; 2) Develop both conventional and Roundup Ready high-yielding soybean varieties adapted to North Carolina environments; and 3) Create soybean populations that combine high yield potential and resistance to soybean cyst nematode populations.
Soybean Cultivars Resistant to Soybean Cyst Nematode Races 2 and 4; Andrea J. Cardinal (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($10,625).
The research will screen soybean varieties for resistance to soybean cyst nematode populations.
Evaluating Blends of Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Resistant and Susceptible Varieties for Management of SCN; Steve Koenning (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($10,398).
This project involved evaluating blends of soybean cyst nematode resistant and susceptible varieties for managing soybean cyst nematode populations. The potential of this management strategy will be fully examined.
Populations of Roundup Ready Soybeans; James Dunphy and R.W. Heiniger (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($8,400).
The objectives of this project are to: 1) Determine whether the yield-population in Roundup Ready soybean is the same for 30-inch rows as it is in 15-inch rows and is the same for indeterminate maturity group IV soybeans as determinate soybeans; 2) Train county Extension personnel about soybean growth; and 3) Provide county Extension personnel with aids for teaching producers and agribusiness about soybean production.
Soybean Variety Demonstrations; James Dunphy (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($6,000).
The objective of this project is to provide side-by-side comparisons under local conditions of promising new and widely grown soybean varieties; and to train county Extension personnel to use results of soybean variety studies.
Management and Surveillance of Asiatic Soybean Rust in North Carolina; Steve Koenning and James Dunphy, (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($23,250).
The objectives of this project are to evaluate fungicides for management of Asiatic soybean rust and their effects on soybean yield; and to monitor the development and potential arrival of soybean rust in North Carolina soybean production environments.
Selecting High Oil Soybean Varieties; Andrea Cardinal and Joseph Burton, (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($3,000).
The objectives of this project are to identify soybean lines with oil higher than 19% @ 13% moisture and to measure yield ability of high oil soybean lines with the goal of developing high oil, high yielding varieties.
Potential Yield Enhancements; James Dunphy (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University): ($6,600)
The objective of this project is to improve soybean profitability, train county agents, train producers, and support on-farm test and demonstration projects. This extension project incorporates findings from replicated on-farm tests of new or unique products that may increase soybean yields and profits.
On-farm Evaluation of Resistant Varieties for Management of Soybean Cyst Nematode; Steve Koenning (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($9,880).
The project incorporates on-farm research to evaluate newly released or experimental soybean lines for resistance to soybean cyst nematode and for yield potential in the presence of SCN.
Evaluation of Abamictin as a Seed Treatment for Control of Soybean Cyst Nematode; Steve Koenning (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($15,906).
Abamictin is a seed treatment nematicide for cotton that holds promise for management of soybean cyst nematode. Syngenta is funding research on Abamictin for soybean but the information garnered may not be applicable to North Carolina. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of Abamictin as a seed treatment for controlling SCN in North Carolina.
Evaluation of Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal in Hybrid Striped Bass Diets; Tom Losordo and M.J. Turano, (North Carolina State University Sea Grant Program); ($20,044).
This preliminary study focuses on the creation of soy-based diets for hybrid striped bass. If successful in replacing fish meal with soy meal in the diet of hybrid striped bass, the species could be used as a model for creating diets for other fin fish including salmon.
Drought Tolerant Varieties; Jim Dunphy (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($7,375).
The project seeks to determine if potential new varieties being developed to tolerate drought conditions yield higher than other available varieties under drought conditions.
Manganese-Roundup Interaction, Jim Dunphy and D.L. Osmond (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($9,475).
The project investigates whether Roundup or the Roundup Ready gene interferes with the uptake of manganese by soybean plants.
Cover Crops for Management of Soybean Cyst Nematode, Steve Koenning (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($10,000).
The researcher measures the influence of cover crops on SCN and soybean yield in fields infested with SCN and determines the usefulness of cropping systems including potential biofuel crops for inclusion in soybean production systems.
Optimizing the Roll Kill / No-Till Organic Soybean Production, Chris Reberg-Horton (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($14,087).
Are additional weed control measures such as organically approved herbicides needed for no-till organic soybeans? The project investigates the use of a cover crop roller to no-till plant soybeans into rye mulches, and compares no-till organic to conventionally-tilled organic soybeans in terms of yield and weed control.
County Demonstration Projects, James Dunphy, (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($10,000).
County soybean agents receive small grants for county-led soybean extension demonstration projects.
Using GPS to Test Foliar Products on Soybeans, James Dunphy, (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($4,600).
The project develops a method to determine whether one or more foliar products influence soybean yield and profits, and determines how much damage a sprayer does traveling across standing soybeans.
A Fact Sheet on Using GPS to Test Foliar Products on Soybeans, James Dunphy, (Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University); ($1,200).
Provides soybean producers and their advisors with a method to utilize GPS equipment, and resulting yield maps, to document whether foliar products impact yield.