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Soy is back!

In a context of renewed interest in the soybean species, both in terms of scientific issues and innovation, the conservation of soybean genetic resources is important. These resources have been conserved for almost two decades, thanks to the commitment of the UMR AGAP Institut . Today, the 1,300 genotypes are entrusted to the CRB housed at LIPME, and the collection is supplemented by research accessions resulting from work at IRHS.

After 2 decades in freezers, the soybean collections patiently conserved by the Institut Amélioration Génétique et Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes et tropicales (UMR AGAP) and the Unité Expérimentale Diascope, along with those of the Institut de Recherche en Horticulture et Semences (IRHS), are joining the CRB hosted by the Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microbes-Environnement (LIPME). This situation is also an opportunity to strengthen the link between the INRAE Plant Biology and Improvement (BAP) department and the GIE Soja, which at this stage for the conservation of genetic resources, is reflected in the formalization of an agreement that will specify the role of each partner, for example in the multiplication of accessions in the collection.

These genetic resources contain 300 original genotypes, not referenced in the USDA germplasm database. The genotyping of this collection will be carried out by French teams as part of the PIA4 SOYSTAINABLE project (a multi-disciplinary project with 17 public and private partners) and will enable the creation of a population dedicated to association genetics (GWAS population) of 400 accessions. These accessions will be chosen to be representative of the available genetic diversity and to answer current and future research questions related to agricultural issues. This GWAS population is intended to serve future research and innovation projects at national and international level, and will already be mobilized within the framework of a project recently submitted to PIA4 'Protéines Végétales' (SOYUSES).

The BRC will play a central role for the scientific community in conserving soybean diversity.

As soy is a difficult species to conserve, storage under controlled conditions and germplasm quality monitoring are essential. In addition, the CRB will manage passport data, coupled with a database of phenotypic data generated by the projects, to facilitate the pooling of material and the sharing of expertise. This collection is a strategic element for the BAP department's current and future national and international collaborations on this species, and significantly strengthens its research and innovation potential on seed legumes, a central lever for agro-ecological and food transitions.

Collection of the CRB of :

  • 1300 genotypes collected
  • 400 "Selection Collection" lines
  • 150 isogenic lines

Contact :

See also

Tavaud-Pirra M, Sartre P, Nelson R, Santoni S, Texier N, Roumet P (2009) Genetic diversity in a soybean collection. Crop Sci 49(3):895–902. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2008.05.0266

More informations 

Modification date: 27 October 2023 | Publication date: 11 July 2023 | By: BRC4Plants - Edition P. Huan