 |
ProCrop |
Transgenic Soybeans
Transgenic soybeans are the result of incorporating a foreign gene into the DNA of the soybean plant. The most popular example currently of a transgenic soybean is resistance to a non-selective (glyphosate) herbicide. These transgenic soybeans are referred to as Roundup Ready soybeans and will be planted on an estimated 76 percent of North Dakota soybean acres in 2003. Varieties with maturity adapted for the northern soybean growing regions are now available. NDSU researchers include the RR soybeans in variety performance trials for comparisons on an annual basis. In 2001 the conventional soybeans and RR soybeans were approximately equivalent in yield performance at most locations. Yields of RR soybeans have continued to be better in recent years. One must compare RR soybeans with other RR varieties and conventional soybeans with other conventional soybeans since most trials are now separated and can�t be compared equally.
The economics of transgenic soybeans must also be taken into account when preparing crop budgets. Farmer saved seed or bin run seed is not allowed under the RR soybean seed technical contract. Ease of use, wide spectrum of weeds controlled and no-till options are major reasons farmers have switched to RR soybean. In the near future other types of transgenic soybeans with end use traits can be expected. Some examples will be soybeans with various fatty-acid profiles for certain food and industrial uses, and altering soy protein for special feed and food uses. A system of identity preservation (IP) will need to be implemented by farmers and others to maintain variety purity for end users.
Back to Soybeans Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
