By Scout Nelson
New soybean research brings strong progress in crop protection. A recent scientific study reports on the development of a genetically improved soybean line that shows greater resistance to soybean aphids and soybean mosaic virus. These two pests cause major damage to soybean crops and continue to create challenges for soybean production.
The study appears in BMC Genomics in a special issue released on May 28, 2025. The research focuses on how soybeans, aphids, and viruses interact. Scientists study this three-part system to understand how plants defend themselves and how pests spread disease.
Soybean aphids often carry soybean mosaic viruses. Together, these pests weaken plants, reduce yields, and increase production risks. Over time, aphids and the virus adapt to plant defenses, making pest control more difficult. Soybeans protect themselves using resistance genes known as R-genes. Two key genes, Rag2 and Rsv1, help block aphid feeding and virus infection. Both genes are found on chromosome 13 in soybean plants.
The research team uses this genetic knowledge to create a new soybean line that combines both Rag2 and Rsv1 genes into one improved genetic form. This allows the plant to resist both pests at the same time. The team explains that this is the first time a plant-insect-pathogen system has been used to develop double-resistant soybean genetic material.
This new soybean line shows stronger and more stable resistance than earlier varieties. The genetic improvement helps protect plants from damage while reducing the need for extra pest treatments. This supports more reliable crop performance and better crop health.
The recombined soybean genotype developed through this research also serves as a strong base for future studies. It gives plant breeders a new tool to develop soybean varieties that can handle pests and diseases more effectively. It also helps scientists' study how plants, pests, and viruses interact at a deeper genetic level.
This research supports long-term soybean production by improving natural plant resistance. The improved soybean line helps protect yields, lowers risk, and supports sustainable crop management across soybean growing regions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Soybeans, Education, General