A new non-biotech genetics technology, available only through Midland Genetics Group, endows soybeans with a revolutionary new characteristic: complete resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). The first limited-release CystX(TM) variety will hit the market later this year, significantly boosting farmers' yield potential and dramatically changing seed selection for SCN-infected fields.

CystX(TM) is the first soybean is the first soybean technology whose power is a match for SCN's stealth and field variation. Each growing season, tiny nematodes enter soybean roots to steal nutrients from the plant, robbing farmers of as much as 40 percent of yield. Experts say SCN cost U.S. farmers $1.67 billion in 1998, more than any other soybean disease or pest.

CystX(TM) should change that. Plants protected by CystX(TM) seem impervious to SCN. Nematodes simply don't develop on their roots, said Dennis Brown, CystX(TM) Project Coordinator for Midland Genetics Group.

"Traditional resistant varieties stand up to one or two races of Soybean Cyst Nematode and provide varying degrees of resistance,," Brown explained, "but we always find cysts on the roots, even in varieties with claimed full resistance to a nematode race. With CystX plants, we are  finding absolutely no cysts on any root at any time."

Impressed with its field performance, Midland Genetics Group owners banked on CystX(TM) before other companies would, said Director of Research Jerry Lorenzen. Thanks to that foresight, Midland member companies will be the first to offer CystX(TM) varieties to farmers. The first private, Midland-developed CystX(TM) variety will be available for the 2001 crop season, followed by additional varieties for the 2002 season.

According to Dr. Virginia Ferris, a member of the Purdue University team that developed CystX(TM), countless field variations of SCN complicate its management. Farmers usually try to match a resistant variety to SCN races found in a given field. But even resistant varieties can forfeit some yield to SCN, said Ferris.

"Some traditional resistant varieties will perform well in one field, but not two counties over," she said. "It has to do with the virulence of the nematode and the stress in the environment."

With CystX(TM), matching varieties to races won't be a concern. Purdue's Dr. Jamal Faghihi, who worked with Ferris and the late Dr. John Ferris, subjected CystX(TM) lines to more than 150 SCN populations, including his own highly virulent inbred nematodes.

"Since day one, I have subjected it to every field population on Soybean Cyst Nematode I could find, and not a single population has been able to overcome CystX(TM) resistance," Faghihi said.

CystX(TM) is not a biotech product. Rather, it is the result of a novel approach to the traditional breeding process. Purdue's Dr. Rick Vierling, a molecular geneticist, used unique genetic techniques to unlock soybean characteristics long inaccessible. Vierling is hopeful his work will result in a yield breakthrough for farmers.

"It's cyst resistance without the cost," said Vierling, referring to the high yield associated with CystX(TM) varieties.

Midland Genetics Group's member companies in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas specialize in the development of locally adapted corn, soybean, wheat and grain sorghum varieties. Each variety is thoroughly tested in the climate, soils and conditions where it will ultimately be grown. The company's research program now ranks among the nation's top 10.

Company news release
N2671