Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Kansas State University together have taken a major step forward in the battle against soybean aphids. A reliable laboratory screening method has been jointly developed by the two organizations to help Pioneer scientists identify promising sources of resistance to this devastating pest.

"The research, conducted over the past three years, has resulted in identification of new sources of superior aphid resistance that are being incorporated into elite varieties by Pioneer soybean breeders," said John
Soper, Ph.D., director of soybean research, Pioneer. "By 2010, we expect to have a much broader range of aphid-resistant varieties in our product lineup."

John Reese, Ph.D., professor of entomology, Kansas State, served as the lead university researcher on the project.

The first step in the research process was to develop screening techniques or protocols, he said. From there, specific protocols for antibiosis and nonpreference were used to analyze the Pioneer brand soybean varieties.

Reese explains antibiosis is the plant's natural ability to ward off pests by killing the insect or dramatically slowing its reproduction.

Alternatively, nonpreference is the plant's ability to deflect pests to more sought-after or preferable varieties, he adds.

"Using these protocols, our results were remarkably consistent throughout each of our trials," said Reese. "Time and again we found the same soybean varieties had the same levels of resistance or susceptibility to soybean aphid."

In biological trials, such as this, it is a challenge to get highly repeatable results, but that was not the case with this study, said Reese.

"The consistency of the laboratory screening results with preliminary field observations gives us a great deal of confidence that we are introducing a new precedent-setting production tool that will benefit North American soybean growers for years to come," said Soper.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.