Developing pest-resistant soybean for sustainable management of soybean aphids and Japanese beetles

photograph of Japanese beetles defoliating a soybean leaf in a petri dish

Studying Japanese beetle soybean defoliation in the lab. Photo by John Schoolmeesters.

 

Background

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) and Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) are both invasive insects that pose serious threats to soybean production. Soybean aphid is the more significant pest, capable of causing 40% loss of yield. Although Japanese beetle has been in Minnesota for decades, only recently has the insect become a problem for soybeans. Large infestations of Japanese beetle have caused up to 18% loss.

Farmers currently rely on insecticides to manage soybean aphid, which may be negatively impacting the sustainability of soybean production. Insecticides have been implicated in the declines of pollinators and in the contamination of surface waters. Minnesota farmers need solutions to manage these two insect pests that are both effective and environmentally sound.

This research team built previous work to identify existing pest-resistant genes in soybeans and develop soybean varieties to help growers reduce insecticide use.

Research questions

  • What are the underlying plant genes that are resistant to soybean aphid?
  • What sources of Japanese beetle resistance already exist in the USDA germplasm collection?
  • What are the characteristics of soybean resistance to Japanese beetles?

Outcomes

Over the course of the project, researchers made substantial progress toward expanding the availability of aphid-resistant soybean germplasm adapted to the Upper Midwest. They successfully produced several commercially viable aphid-resistant soybean lines. Two new aphid-resistant cultivars entered commercialization early in the project, while additional breeding lines were advanced to private companies for commercial evaluation. 

Researchers also advanced understanding of the molecular basis of soybean aphid resistance and established how to identify the genes controlling aphid resistance. 
In addition, the research team evaluated soybean accessions reported to be resistant to Japanese beetle defoliation, and published results that guide future breeding efforts. 

Overall, this project strengthened the University of Minnesota soybean breeding program while advancing the understanding of host plant resistance mechanisms.

Publications

Outreach

Research team

Aaron Lorenz | principal investigator

Robert Koch | co-principal investigator

Robert Stupar | co-principal investigator

Siddhi Bhusal | postdoctoral associate

Paul Atkins | postdoctoral associate

 

Collaborating organizations

Minnesota Crop Improvement

Crop Science Society of America

University of Minnesota Extension