Researchers at the University of Illinois (U of I) say farmers could have access to commercial soybean varieties with aphid resistance by 2007.
“We've identified the single-gene source of aphid resistance and have developed advanced aphid-resistant lines through backcrossing from our original genetic populations,” says Curt Hill, U of I researcher.
Illinois researcher Brian Diers is testing the lines in several field locations in Illinois and other states this season, including work through the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University.
Hill says these cooperators will also start their own breeding programs for aphid resistance using the advanced lines as starting material.