This $300,000 Project Grant award from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (CFDA 10.310) supports research at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to increase nitrogen fixation in soybean plants. The goal is to develop soybean varieties that can meet nitrogen needs through enhanced biological nitrogen fixation in root nodules, reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The research project will: 1) evaluate genetic variants in soybean accessions related to auxin and cytokinin hormones that influence nodulation, 2) validate their roles through genome editing, and 3) characterize soybean germplasm with optimal nitrogen fixation capabilities. The project runs from July 2024 through June 2026 and will provide insights to help breed soybean cultivars that maintain nitrogen fixation during later reproductive stages, supporting sustainable food production.
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