Argentine scientists created a new variety of soybean with high yield potential

According to Bianchi, this achievement is the result of years of research at the Plant Eco-Physiology Laboratory (LEFIVE) of the Rosario Institute of Agricultural Sciences Research (IICAR, CONICET-UNR). The key to success lies in the incorporation of a genetic characteristic that increases the number of seeds per pod, a factor that is directly related to the final yield of the crop. “Soybeans are a critically important crop in Argentina, and any improvement in yield has a direct impact on the economy of producers and the country in general,” the researcher explained.

The development of this new line of soybeans not only represents a technical advance, but also highlights the importance of the link between science and production. “This agreement is an example of the results that can be obtained when the scientific capabilities of CONICET are combined with the support of companies such as GDM, which contribute their experience in plant genetics and their infrastructure to bring technology to the field,” said Bianchi.

One of the key challenges of the project was determining the stability and heritability of the four-seeded pod trait. The researcher noted that “working with yield traits is complex, as they are highly influenced by environmental factors. However, in this case, we demonstrated that the trait has a high degree of genetic determination, which means that it is consistently expressed in different environments, even under difficult conditions such as drought.”

To get to this point, the research team had to overcome numerous obstacles. The original idea was proposed by agricultural engineer Eligio Morandi, a pioneer in agricultural research, who directed LEFIVE for more than 40 years before his death. After his death, the project continued under the direction of researcher Juan Pablo A. Ortiz, and the field and laboratory work continued with Bianchi’s team. “This project is, in many ways, Morandi’s legacy, and we are proud to be able to put it into practice,” said Bianchi.

Tribute to a great geneticist

The history of this project dates back to the early years of Bianchi’s scientific career, who joined the team while doing his postdoctoral studies at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UNR. Starting from an initial idea and with the collaboration of Don Mario (GDM’s flagship brand), they managed to establish a research agreement that laid the foundations for this breakthrough.

The road was not easy. Bianchi recalls the initial challenges: “When we started, we had the plant material, which is the most important thing, but we did not fully understand the genetics behind the trait we wanted to develop. It was a process of in-depth research in which we studied the physiological, genetic and molecular bases to understand how we could make this trait manifest itself consistently.”

The agreement with GDM allowed researchers to have the necessary support to advance in the development of the soybean line, which was registered in the National Registry of Cultivar Property of the National Seed Institute under the name “Tango 4S”. The next step will be to take this technology to different areas of the country and carry out field tests to verify its effectiveness in different environments.

How can this innovation influence local production?

The breakthrough comes at a critical time for soybean production in Argentina. In recent campaigns, drought has severely impacted the sector, reducing production to historically low levels. In the 2022/2023 campaign, the lack of rain significantly affected yield, and economic losses were considerable. Now, with the next campaign about to begin, producers are looking to the future with renewed expectations, supported by innovations such as this one.

With annual production that can exceed 50 million tons in good years, soybeans are essential to the Argentine economy. Genetic improvements that allow for increased yield per hectare are crucial to maximizing production, especially in a context of climate change where variability in environmental conditions is increasingly common.

“These types of advances are a key tool to face the challenges of climate. We know that conditions will not always be optimal, but having varieties that maintain high yields under water stress or poor soils is essential for the sustainability of soybean cultivation in Argentina,” Bianchi concluded.

Producers, for their part, are optimistic about the possibility of incorporating this new line of soybeans in their fields. The expectation is that, once the field tests are completed, this technology may be available for commercialization in the near future, providing a competitive advantage in soybean production at a national and international level.