Soybean School: Breeding for 000 Maturity Ratings

The amazing rise of soybean acres across Manitoba and into Saskatchewan is possible only because of the development of early, early soybean lines.

Just how early? While zeros and double zero maturity ratings are great for “short” season areas in Ontario and Quebec, it’s the triple zero lines that shine in places like Arborg, Manitoba, well north of Winnipeg, or up near Saskatoon and even Edmonton.

Dr. Elroy Cober, 2016

Dr. Elroy Cober, 2016

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s soybean breeder, Dr. Elroy Cober is focused on creating not just early soybean lines, but early soybean lines with the traits and productivity necessary to make these soybeans competitive in the crop rotation line up out west.

In this Soybean School episode, Cober describes the process of creating a 000 maturity line, layering in drought tolerance and other traits, and how likely it is that North Americans will one day enjoy natto for breakfast. (What’s natto? Click here.)

Can’t see the video? Find it here.

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