Safeguarding Mississippi Soybean Production From Interactive Heat and Drought Stress-Induced Yield and Quality Losses

Investigators

Objectives

  1. Evaluate reproductive and physiological responses of soybeans to interactive heat and drought stress
  2. Quantify the impact of individual and combined drought and heat stress on yield, quality, and mineral dynamics

Projected impact on Mississippi Soybean Production

Most of the Mississippi soybean growing areas are frequently exposed to hot and dry (low rainfall) environments during the reproductive and pod-filling stages, resulting in significant economic loss to Mississippi growers. Nearly 56% (~2 million acres) of the soybean growing area face irregular rainfall with hotter or hottest months between R1 and R6, resulting in pod abortion, yield, and quality losses. For example, dryland soybean yield was approximately 30 bu/ac lower than irrigated study in 2020 (Mississippi Soybean Variety Trials data). Identified heat and drought-tolerant soybean lines from our research will potentially offer an edge in the domestic market for the Mississippi growers to enhance their revenue (at least 5% under heat stress and non-irrigated environments).

Expected End Results

The proposed study will evaluate heat and drought impacts on Mississippi soybean's yield and quality. This approach can potentially provide clues to identify traits and lines or improve resilience to hot and dry environmental conditions, particularly during soybean pod formation and development. This project's information developed and identified tolerant soybean lines to help growers choose lines suitable to their local environment. The project's outcomes will be disseminated through presentations, journal publications, regional and national meetings, and producer meetings.

Videos

  • Safeguarding Soybean Production from Heat & Drought Stress-Induced Yield & Quality Loss: Year 1

  • Safeguarding Soybean Production from Heat & Drought Stress-Induced Yield & Quality Loss: Year 2

Awards

  • Assistant Research Professor Raju Rangappa of Mississippi State University’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences received the American Society of Agronomy’s Early Career Award
  • Assistant Research Professor Raju Rangappa received the MAFES Outstanding Scientific Publication Award at the 2023 Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Awards Banquet.
  • Sadikshya Poudel was awarded and recognized as the 2023 Graduate Research Assistant of the Year in the Master’s Category.
  • Sadikshya Poudel won 2nd Place in the 3 Minute Oral Competition at the 4th Annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences Summer Science and Engineering Symposium

Project Status

Current