Production Research
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 knowledge gained, and the new soybean varieties developed, are helping Ohio soybean farmers make the most of their soybean crop.
Ohio Soybean Council and OSU - A Winning Combination
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.
particular variety that exhibit specific characteristics, and then helping those varieties to develop faster. Additionally, the newly formed 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.
Production Research Success:
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OSU-OARDC Soybean Researchers
Dr. Anne Dorrance
OSU - OARDC Plant Pathologist
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. Click Here to view the 2007 Ohio Sentinel Plot Report.
Dr. Steve St. MartinOSU - OARDC Soybean Breeder
Dr. St. Martin is a researcher in soybean varietal development, quantitative genetics and breeding methodology. Currently, with funding from OSC and the soybean checkoff, Dr. St. Martin is working on the development of soybean varieties suitable for the needs of the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center initiative, which seeks to commercialize soybean varieties that meet the needs of both food and industrial applications.
The goal of this research is the eventual commercialization of soybean varieties that have compositional traits with higher yield and resistance to disease, as well as meeting food and other industry requirements.
Dr. Terrence GrahamOSU - OARDC Biochemist
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. Richard DickOSU - Professor of Soil Microbial Ecology
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. Ronald HammondOSU - OARDC Entomologist
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.
North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP)
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 .
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