Roundup Gene Added: January 1998 Soybeans Today

Soybeans Today January 1998

Roundup Gene Added

By Howell Medders

The gene for Roundup herbicide tolerance, owned by the Monsanto biotechnology company, is being added to high-yielding public soybean varieties in the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s soybean breeding program directed by Dr. Clay Sneller.

The patented Roundup-Ready (RR) gene, which allows soybean growers to control most weeds using Roundup herbicide, is provided by Monsanto at no charge to the U of A, Sneller said.

Public varieties with the patented RR gene will most likely be subject to the same technology fee and restrictions as private varieties, said Dr. Greg Weidemann, associate director of the Division of Agriculture’s research programs.

Public varieties best adapted to Arkansas conditions are grown by the U of A in a Foundation Seed Program to provide a reliable source of genetically pure seed for sale to Arkansas seed companies. Foundation seed is used by seed dealers to produce registered and certified seed for sale to farmers.

Seed of varieties developed by 22 public soybean breeding programs conducted by universities and the USDA in 15 states usually costs less than seed developed by private companies. The U of A breeding program is supported by producer check-off grants from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

Sneller said use of the RR gene in the U of A breeding program will insure that Roundup-Ready strains are tested extensively in Arkansas during their development. Crosses were made in 1996 to add the RR gene to seven public varieties in maturity groups IV, V and VI, he said.

"We hope to initiate yield trials in 1999 and have a new variety to release in 2001," Sneller said. "Seed could be available to growers in the year 2003."

Soybeans Today January 1998
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For additional information about any board-related activity contact:

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
ATTN: Warren Carter
P.O. Box 31
Little Rock, AR 72203-0031
Phone: 501-228-1265