Identification and Utilization of Variation in Herbicide Tolerance in Soybean (Glycine max) Breeding

Abstract

Herbicides marketed for selected crops were chosen on the basis that major cultivars of the specific crop were tolerant. Our work with soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] has demonstrated that variability exists with regard to sensitivity or tolerance to several herbicides. As a part of our breeding program to develop improved soybean cultivars, we have evaluated advanced breeding lines and germplasm for reaction to herbicides on the market as well as experimental herbicides. A breeding line was identified and released for production which showed very little injury from two over-the-top applications of a double rate of 2,4-DB [4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid]. Other strains showed severe injury and depressed seed yield. Variation in reaction to glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] has been observed. Lines tolerant to 0.56 kg ai/ha in one growing season were severely damaged the following season. When 200 germplasm lines from eastern Asia were treated with glyphosate, 6% showed less than 15% injury while 21% showed over 80% injury. The cultivar ‘Tracy′, selected for tolerance to 2,4-DB and a high level of resistance to the soil-borne disease causing phytophthora rot, was found to be sensitive to metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one]. Tracy has two major genes controlling resistance to phytophthora rot caused byPhytophthora megaspermaDrechs. f. sp.glycineaKuan and Erwin. One of these genes is closely linked with a gene controlling reaction to metribuzin. A crossover type was identified. The cultivar ‘Tracy-M’ retains the high level of resistance to phytophthora rot and is tolerant to metribuzin. A small percentage of germplasm lines evaluated were found to be sensitive to bentazon. Reaction to bentazon [3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide] is simply inherited.