Clemson scientists identify traits, germplasm to improve soybean heat tolerance
In South Carolina, Clemson University said that scientists from the university and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have identified heat-tolerant soybean lines and key traits that could help develop more resilient crops.
The team evaluated about 200 soybean breeding lines over two growing seasons in South Carolina, exposing plants to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees during critical stages of seed development.
They identified lines that sustained growth and yield under extreme heat, along with traits that could enable breeders to select for heat tolerance more efficiently.
In the study, plants maintaining yield under heat stress had higher chlorophyll levels, resulting in healthier, greener leaves. These plants also maintained stronger photosynthetic activity and produced more biomass and seeds.
In the next phase, the scientists will examine how the fats in soybean plants change when the plants get too hot. They’ll compare soybean lines that handle heat well with those that struggle to see how these fat changes might help plants survive high temperatures.
Category: Food & Agriculture
