The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and the soybean checkoff are committed to supporting research that improves soybeans in many ways - from disease resistance and increasing yield to developing new soybean varieties that meet a wide range of needs in the marketplace.

 

 

 

The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and The Ohio State University's (OSU) Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) have a long standing relationship when is comes to investing soybean checkoff dollars for research efforts.

 

From the development of the Rps8 gene to extensive research in the areas of pest and disease resistant varieties, the partnership between OSC and OSU's renowned researchers has been a benefit to soybean farmers and the soybean industry.

 

Some of the latest developments at OARDC involve using marker technology to identify genes in a particular variety that exhibit specific characteristics, and then helping those varieties to develop faster.

 Additionally, the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC) initiative brings together research and industry with a focus on commercial applications, such as tailoring specific soybean varieties to meet new use requirements.

 

OARDC research projects, funded by OSC and the soybean checkoff, are continually exploring topics such as soybean rust, Phytopthora root and stem rot and bean mottle virus just to name a few.

 

 

Since 2000, the OARDC released 13 soybean varieties, including food production varieties, low linolenic acid varieties, conventional varieties, and varieties resistant to glyphosate and high in protein.  OARDC has released 47 soybean varieties since 1977.

OARDC researchers discovered Rps8, an effective Rps gene - a breakthrough in new sources of resistance in regard to Phytophthora sojae, the #1 disease of Ohio soybeans.

OARDC researchers are further developing aphid resistant varieties that are specific to Ohio's growing conditions and that contain multiple aphid resistant genes. In addition, researchers are expanding diagnostic soybean aphid biotype testing and developing real-time information delivery methods.

OARDC researchers have identified more than 10 additional sources of resistance to Phytophthora root and stem rot.  These sources are undergoing evaluation of effectiveness and are being mapped in order to incorporate this into high-yielding varieties.

 

 

 

A nationally and internationally recognized expert in soybean diseases, Dr. Dorrance has worked with OSC and the soybean checkoff for many years.  She played a major role in the discovery of the Rps8 gene, and is currently leading three disease research projects for OSC.
 
Recently, the American Soybean Association presented Dr. Dorrance with the ASA Special Meritorious Award for the years of expertise she has given to Ohio's soybean industry.
 
Dr. Dorrance is currently screening soybean varieties for disease resistance to Ohio's major soybean pathogens, such as Sudden Death Syndrome, and working to identify the genetic markers of those resistances.
 
She is also a leader in the study of Asian Soybean Rust and manages Ohio sentinel plots through the Ohio extension program. 

 

  

  

 

Dr. Graham's research focuses on the molecular biology of signal perception and signal transduction in local and systemic industed plant disease resistance. Current emphasis is on soybean functional genomics.
 
Dr. Graham is heading an OSC and soybean funded research project in 2008 that will utilize the new technology called gene silencing, which will allow the researchers to selectively evaluate the contribution of individual disease resistance genes in soybeans.

 

 

 

Dr. Dick has more than 20 years experience in soil microbial ecology research and has published over 75 referred journal articles, and is the Ohio Eminent Scholar endowed chair position within the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at OSU.
 
His research has focused on managing microorganisms to provide ecosystem services such as improved soil quality, natural disease suppression, and nutrient availability.  Dr. Dick is currently leading an OSC funded project to study the interactions of Round Up Ready soybean systems with microorganisms and potassium nutrition.

  

 

Dr. Hammond is the field crop extension and research entomologist for Ohio.  His research interests are in the area of Integrated Pest Management, with emphasis on arthropods and other invertebrate pests in field crops.
 
Dr. Hammond provides valuable expertise and research to Ohio's soybean farmers in the area of soybean aphids and other soybean pests.

 

  

Dr. Michel is researching a project funded by OSC to further develop aphid resistant varieties that are specific to Ohio’s growing conditions and that contain multiple soybean aphid resistant genes.

 

  

 

  

 

Established in 1992, NCSRP works to enable the country's top university scientists to mobilize quickly to solve the biggest soybean production and management problems.  NCSRP is comprised of 12 state soybean checkoff boards including Ohio.
 
Soybean checkoff investments include: research programs to better understand and manage soybean cyst nematodes, soybean aphids, white mold, sudden death syndrome, precision agriculture and the value of biotech genetics.  To learn more, visit www.ncsrp.com .