Fayetteville, Arkansas
March 17, 2009
Soybean farmers in Arkansas and
other states may be planting more conventional (non-transgenic)
varieties in 2009, says Pengyin Chen, who directs the
University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture's soybean breeding program.
Chen and Jeremy Ross, the division's extension soybean
specialist, say they have had many more calls than in previous
years about conventional varieties.
The Division of Agriculture produces genetically pure
"foundation" seed of conventional varieties for sale to seed
companies and dealers, who then grow "certified" seed for sale
to farmers. Debra Ahrent, who manages the foundation seed
program at the division's Rice Research and Extension Center
near Stuttgart, said orders for foundation seed of conventional
soybean varieties doubled this year compared to last year.
The vast majority of soybeans planted will still be transgenic
herbicide-resistant varieties, but demand for conventional
varieties may be higher due to three factors, Chen and Ross say.
One reason is lower cost seed compared to transgenic varieties
and the right to save seed from conventional varieties developed
in public breeding programs conducted by universities and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Chen said. His breeding program
is supported by check-off funds from growers through the
Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.
Farmers must buy new seed each year of transgenic varieties.
With public conventional varieties, farmers can save seed from
the first year's crop to plant the next year. After two crops,
they should buy new seed to avoid genetic contamination or loss
of seed vigor, Chen said.
Another factor is an increase in Roundup-resistant weeds, which
means some farmers need additional herbicides with Roundup Ready
varieties, Ross said. Weed populations can develop resistance
when exposed to the same herbicide over a period of years.
New herbicide chemistry will be available this year with
transgenic Liberty Link varieties that are resistant to Ignite
herbicide. The Liberty Link system provides a good alternative
for fields with Roundup-resistant weeds, Ross said. But only a
few Liberty Link varieties are available, and many farmers will
wait to see how the system performs for others before trying it,
he added.
A third incentive for planting conventional soybeans is a
premium of up to $1 per bushel paid by some buyers who produce
non-transgenic soy products. "There will always be a niche for
conventional soybeans," Ross said.
Three conventional varieties from the Arkansas breeding program
are available. 'Osage,' released as a new variety in 2007, had
the highest yield among conventional varieties in 2008
performance tests in Arkansas and Tennessee and tied for highest
in Mississippi. The 'Ozark' and 'UA 4805' varieties also perform
well under Arkansas growing conditions, Chen said.
The results of 2008 soybean variety performance trials at
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station locations are available
online at
www.arkansasvarietytesting.com. Printed reports can be
ordered at no charge by mail from Agricultural Communications,
110 Agri Building, U of A, Fayetteville 72701, or by phone at
479-575-5647. |
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