U.S. patent application number 11/746321 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for soybean cultivar 6549250.
Invention is credited to Justin T. Mason, Dennis L. Schultze.
Application Number | 20080282367 11/746321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39916475 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080282367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultze; Dennis L. ; et
al. |
November 13, 2008 |
SOYBEAN CULTIVAR 6549250
Abstract
A soybean cultivar designated 6549250 is disclosed. The
invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 6549250, to the
plants of soybean 6549250, to plant parts of soybean cultivar
6549250 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by
crossing soybean cultivar 6549250 with itself or with another
soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for
producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or
more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant
parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to
soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived
from soybean variety 6549250, to methods for producing other
soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean
cultivar 6549250 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their
parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further
relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by
crossing the cultivar 6549250 with another soybean cultivar.
Inventors: |
Schultze; Dennis L.;
(Olivia, MN) ; Mason; Justin T.; (Granger,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONDLE & ASSOCIATES P.C.
858 HAPPY CANYON ROAD SUITE 230
CASTLE ROCK
CO
80108
US
|
Family ID: |
39916475 |
Appl. No.: |
11/746321 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
800/263 ;
435/415; 435/430; 504/211; 504/227; 504/275; 504/320; 504/324;
800/260; 800/264; 800/265; 800/278; 800/279; 800/281; 800/284;
800/300; 800/301; 800/302; 800/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12N 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
800/263 ;
435/415; 435/430; 504/211; 504/227; 504/275; 504/320; 504/324;
800/260; 800/264; 800/265; 800/278; 800/279; 800/281; 800/284;
800/300; 800/301; 800/302; 800/312 |
International
Class: |
A01H 1/02 20060101
A01H001/02; A01H 5/00 20060101 A01H005/00; A01N 37/10 20060101
A01N037/10; A01N 43/46 20060101 A01N043/46; A01N 43/50 20060101
A01N043/50; A01N 47/36 20060101 A01N047/36; C12N 15/87 20060101
C12N015/87; C12N 5/02 20060101 C12N005/02; C12N 5/04 20060101
C12N005/04 |
Claims
1. A seed of soybean cultivar 6549250, wherein a representative
sample of seed of said cultivar was deposited under ATCC Accession
No. PTA-9112.
2. A soybean plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing the seed
of claim 1.
3. A tissue culture of cells produced from the plant of claim 2,
wherein said cells of the tissue culture are produced from a plant
part selected from the group consisting of leaf, pollen, embryo,
cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristematic cell, root, root tip, pistil,
anther, flower, stem, pod and petiole.
4. A protoplast produced from the plant of claim 2.
5. A protoplast produced from the tissue culture of claim 3.
6. A soybean plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 3,
wherein the plant has all of the morphological and physiological
characteristics of cultivar 6549250.
7. A method for producing an F.sub.1 hybrid soybean seed, wherein
the method comprises crossing the plant of claim 2 with a different
soybean plant and harvesting the resultant F.sub.1 hybrid soybean
seed.
8. A hybrid soybean seed produced by the method of claim 7.
9. A hybrid soybean plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing
said hybrid seed of claim 8.
10. A method of producing an herbicide resistant soybean plant
wherein the method comprises transforming the soybean plant of
claim 2 with a transgene wherein the transgene confers resistance
to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of
imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate,
L-phosphinothricin, triazine and benzonitrile.
11. An herbicide resistant soybean plant produced by the method of
claim 10.
12. A method of producing an insect resistant soybean plant wherein
the method comprises transforming the soybean plant of claim 2 with
a transgene that confers insect resistance.
13. An insect resistant soybean plant produced by the method of
claim 12.
14. The soybean plant of claim 13, wherein the transgene encodes a
Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
15. A method of producing a disease resistant soybean plant wherein
the method comprises transforming the soybean plant of claim 2 with
a transgene that confers disease resistance.
16. A disease resistant soybean plant produced by the method of
claim 15.
17. A method of producing a soybean plant with modified fatty acid
metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism wherein the method
comprises transforming the soybean plant of claim 2 with a
transgene encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of
phytase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, .alpha.-amylase,
invertase and starch branching enzyme or encoding an antisense of
stearyl-ACP desaturase.
18. A soybean plant having modified fatty acid metabolism or
modified carbohydrate metabolism produced by the method of claim
17.
19. A method of introducing a desired trait into soybean cultivar
6549250 wherein the method comprises: a. crossing a 6549250 plant,
wherein a representative sample of seed was deposited under ATCC
Accession No. PTA-9112, with a plant of another soybean cultivar
that comprises a desired trait to produce progeny plants wherein
the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of male
sterility, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, modified fatty
acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism, modified seed
yield, modified oil percent, modified protein percent, modified
lodging resistance, modified shattering, modified iron-deficiency
chlorosis and resistance to bacterial disease, fungal disease or
viral disease; b. selecting one or more progeny plants that have
the desired trait to produce selected progeny plants; c. crossing
the selected progeny plants with the 6549250 plants to produce
backcross progeny plants; d. selecting for backcross progeny plants
that have the desired trait and all of the physiological and
morphological characteristics of soybean cultivar 6549250 listed in
Table 1; and e. repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times in
succession to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny
plants that comprise the desired trait and all of the physiological
and morphological characteristics of soybean cultivar 6549250
listed in Table 1.
20. A soybean plant produced by the method of claim 19, wherein the
plant has the desired trait and all of the physiological and
morphological characteristics of soybean cultivar 6549250 listed in
Table 1.
21. The soybean plant of claim 20, wherein the desired trait is
herbicide resistance and the resistance is conferred to an
herbicide selected from the group consisting of imidazolinone,
sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate, L-phosphinothricin, triazine
and benzonitrile.
22. The soybean plant of claim 20, wherein the desired trait is
insect resistance and the insect resistance is conferred by a
transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
23. The soybean plant of claim 20, wherein the desired trait is
modified fatty acid metabolism or modified carbohydrate metabolism
and said desired trait is conferred by a nucleic acid encoding a
protein selected from the group consisting of phytase,
fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, .alpha.-amylase, invertase and
starch branching enzyme or encoding an antisense of stearyl-ACP
desaturase.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinctive
soybean cultivar, designated 6549250. All publications cited in
this application are herein incorporated by reference.
[0002] There are numerous steps in the development of any novel,
desirable plant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis
and definition of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm,
the establishment of program goals, and the definition of specific
breeding objectives. The next step is selection of germplasm that
possesses the traits to meet the program goals. The goal is to
combine in a single variety an improved combination of desirable
traits from the parental germplasm. These important traits may
include higher seed yield, resistance to diseases and insects,
better stems and roots, tolerance to drought and heat, and better
agronomic quality.
[0003] Choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode
of plant reproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being
improved, and the type of cultivar used commercially (e.g., F.sub.1
hybrid cultivar, pureline cultivar, etc.). For highly heritable
traits, a choice of superior individual plants evaluated at a
single location will be effective, whereas for traits with low
heritability, selection should be based on mean values obtained
from replicated evaluations of families of related plants. Popular
selection methods commonly include pedigree selection, modified
pedigree selection, mass selection, and recurrent selection.
[0004] The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the
breeding method. Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a
few favorable genes for a highly heritable trait into a desirable
cultivar. This approach has been used extensively for breeding
disease-resistant cultivars. Various recurrent selection techniques
are used to improve quantitatively inherited traits controlled by
numerous genes. The use of recurrent selection in self-pollinating
crops depends on the ease of pollination, the frequency of
successful hybrids from each pollination and the number of hybrid
offspring from each successful cross.
[0005] Each breeding program should include a periodic, objective
evaluation of the efficiency of the breeding procedure. Evaluation
criteria vary depending on the goal and objectives, but should
include gain from selection per year based on comparisons to an
appropriate standard, overall value of the advanced breeding lines,
and number of successful cultivars produced per unit of input
(e.g., per year, per dollar expended, etc.).
[0006] Promising advanced breeding lines are thoroughly tested and
compared to appropriate standards in environments representative of
the commercial target area(s) for three or more years. The best
lines are candidates for new commercial cultivars; those still
deficient in a few traits may be used as parents to produce new
populations for further selection.
[0007] These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing
and distribution, usually take from eight to twelve years from the
time the first cross is made. Therefore, development of new
cultivars is a time-consuming process that requires precise forward
planning, efficient use of resources, and a minimum of changes in
direction.
[0008] A most difficult task is the identification of individuals
that are genetically superior, because for most traits the true
genotypic value is masked by other confounding plant traits or
environmental factors. One method of identifying a superior plant
is to observe its performance relative to other experimental plants
and to a widely grown standard cultivar. If a single observation is
inconclusive, replicated observations provide a better estimate of
its genetic worth.
[0009] The goal of soybean plant breeding is to develop new, unique
and superior soybean cultivars and hybrids. The breeder initially
selects and crosses two or more parental lines, followed by
repeated selfing and selection, producing many new genetic
combinations. The breeder can theoretically generate billions of
different genetic combinations via crossing, selfing and mutations.
The breeder has no direct control at the cellular level. Therefore,
two breeders will never develop the same line, or even very similar
lines, having the same soybean traits.
[0010] Each year, the plant breeder selects the germplasm to
advance to the next generation. This germplasm is grown under
unique and different geographical, climatic and soil conditions and
further selections are then made during and at the end of the
growing season. The cultivars that are developed are unpredictable
because the breeder's selection occurs in unique environments with
no control at the DNA level (using conventional breeding
procedures), and with millions of different possible genetic
combinations being generated. A breeder of ordinary skill in the
art cannot predict the final resulting lines he develops, except
possibly in a very gross and general fashion. The same breeder
cannot produce the same cultivar twice by using the same original
parents and the same selection techniques. This unpredictability
results in the expenditure of large amounts of research monies to
develop superior new soybean cultivars.
[0011] The development of new soybean cultivars requires the
development and selection of soybean varieties, the crossing of
these varieties and selection of superior hybrid crosses. The
hybrid seed is produced by manual crosses between selected
male-fertile parents or by using male sterility systems. These
hybrids are selected for certain single gene traits such as pod
color, flower color, pubescence color or herbicide resistance which
indicate that the seed is truly a hybrid. Additional data on
parental lines, as well as the phenotype of the hybrid, influence
the breeder's decision whether to continue with the specific hybrid
cross.
[0012] Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods
are used to develop cultivars from breeding populations. Breeding
programs combine desirable traits from two or more cultivars or
various broad-based sources into breeding pools from which
cultivars are developed by selfing and selection of desired
phenotypes. The new cultivars are evaluated to determine which have
commercial potential.
[0013] Pedigree breeding is used commonly for the improvement of
self-pollinating crops. Two parents that possess favorable,
complementary traits are crossed to produce an F.sub.1. An F.sub.2
population is produced by selfing one or several F.sub.1s.
Selection of the best individuals may begin in the F.sub.2
population; then, beginning in the F.sub.3, the best individuals in
the best families are selected. Replicated testing of families can
begin in the F.sub.4 generation to improve the effectiveness of
selection for traits with low heritability. At an advanced stage of
inbreeding (i.e., F.sub.6 and F.sub.7), the best lines or mixtures
of phenotypically similar lines are tested for potential release as
new cultivars.
[0014] Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve
populations of either self- or cross-pollinating crops. A
genetically variable population of heterozygous individuals is
either identified, or created, by intercrossing several different
parents. The best plants are selected based on individual
superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellent combining ability.
The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a new population in
which further cycles of selection are continued.
[0015] Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a
simply inherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable
homozygous cultivar or inbred line which is the recurrent parent.
The source of the trait to be transferred is called the donor
parent. After the initial cross, individuals possessing the
phenotype of the donor parent are selected and repeatedly crossed
(backcrossed) to the recurrent parent. The resulting plant is
expected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g.,
cultivar) and the desirable trait transferred from the donor
parent.
[0016] The single-seed descent procedure in the strict sense refers
to planting a segregating population, harvesting a sample of one
seed per plant, and using the one-seed sample to plant the next
generation. When the population has been advanced from the F.sub.2
to the desired level of inbreeding, the plants from which lines are
derived will each trace to different F.sub.2 individuals. The
number of plants in a population declines each generation due to
failure of some seeds to germinate or some plants to produce at
least one seed. As a result, not all of the F.sub.2 plants
originally sampled in the population will be represented by a
progeny when generation advance is completed.
[0017] In a multiple-seed procedure, soybean breeders commonly
harvest one or more pods from each plant in a population and thresh
them together to form a bulk. Part of the bulk is used to plant the
next generation and part is put in reserve. The procedure has been
referred to as modified single-seed descent or the pod-bulk
technique.
[0018] The multiple-seed procedure has been used to save labor at
harvest. It is considerably faster to thresh pods with a machine
than to remove one seed from each by hand for the single-seed
procedure. The multiple-seed procedure also makes it possible to
plant the same number of seeds of a population each generation of
inbreeding. Enough seeds are harvested to make up for those plants
that did not germinate or produce seed.
[0019] In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a
plant can also be examined. There are many laboratory-based
techniques available for the analysis, comparison and
characterization of plant genotype; among these are Isozyme
Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs),
Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed
Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification
Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions
(SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple
Sequence Repeats (SSRs--which are also referred to as
Microsatellites), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).
[0020] Isozyme Electrophoresis and RFLPs have been widely used to
determine genetic composition. Shoemaker and Olsen, (Molecular
Linkage Map of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) p 6.131-6.138 in S.
J. O'Brien (ed) Genetic Maps: Locus Maps of Complex Genomes, Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1993))
developed a molecular genetic linkage map that consisted of 25
linkage groups with about 365 RFLP, 11 RAPD, three classical
markers and four isozyme loci. See also, Shoemaker, R. C., RFLP Map
of Soybean, p 299-309, in Phillips, R. L. and Vasil, I. K., eds.
DNA-Based Markers in Plants, Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, the
Netherlands (1994).
[0021] SSR technology is currently the most efficient and practical
marker technology; more marker loci can be routinely used and more
alleles per marker locus can be found using SSRs in comparison to
RFLPs. For example, Diwan and Cregan described a highly polymorphic
microsatellite locus in soybean with as many as 26 alleles. (Diwan,
N. and Cregan, P. B., Theor. Appl. Genet. 95:22-225, 1997.) SNPs
may also be used to identify the unique genetic composition of the
invention and progeny varieties retaining that unique genetic
composition. Various molecular marker techniques may be used in
combination to enhance overall resolution.
[0022] Molecular markers, which includes markers identified through
the use of techniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis, RFLPs,
RAPDs, AP-PCR, DAF, SCARs, AFLPs, SSRs, and SNPs, may be used in
plant breeding. One use of molecular markers is Quantitative Trait
Loci (QTL) mapping. QTL mapping is the use of markers which are
known to be closely linked to alleles that have measurable effects
on a quantitative trait. Selection in the breeding process is based
upon the accumulation of markers linked to the positive effecting
alleles and/or the elimination of the markers linked to the
negative effecting alleles from the plant's genome.
[0023] Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding
process for the selection of qualitative traits. For example,
markers closely linked to alleles or markers containing sequences
within the actual alleles of interest can be used to select plants
that contain the alleles of interest during a backcrossing breeding
program. For example, molecular markers are used in soybean
breeding for selection of the trait of resistance to soybean cyst
nematode, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,967. The markers can also be used
to select toward the genome of the recurrent parent and against the
markers of the donor parent. This procedure attempts to minimize
the amount of genome from the donor parent that remains in the
selected plants. It can also be used to reduce the number of
crosses back to the recurrent parent needed in a backcrossing
program. The use of molecular markers in the selection process is
often called genetic marker enhanced selection or marker-assisted
selection. Molecular markers may also be used to identify and
exclude certain sources of germplasm as parental varieties or
ancestors of a plant by providing a means of tracking genetic
profiles through crosses.
[0024] Mutation breeding is another method of introducing new
traits into soybean varieties. Mutations that occur spontaneously
or are artificially induced can be useful sources of variability
for a plant breeder. The goal of artificial mutagenesis is to
increase the rate of mutation for a desired characteristic.
Mutation rates can be increased by many different means including
temperature, long-term seed storage, tissue culture conditions,
radiation (such as X-rays, Gamma rays, neutrons, Beta radiation, or
ultraviolet radiation), chemical mutagens (such as base analogues
like 5-bromo-uracil), antibiotics, alkylating agents (such as
sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, epoxides, ethyleneamines,
sulfates, sulfonates, sulfones, or lactones), azide, hydroxylamine,
nitrous acid or acridines. Once a desired trait is observed through
mutagenesis the trait may then be incorporated into existing
germplasm by traditional breeding techniques. Details of mutation
breeding can be found in Principles of Cultivar Development by
Fehr, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1993.
[0025] The production of double haploids can also be used for the
development of homozygous varieties in a breeding program. Double
haploids are produced by the doubling of a set of chromosomes from
a heterozygous plant to produce a completely homozygous individual.
For example, see Wan et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 77:889-892,
1989.
[0026] Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly
used for different traits and crops can be found in one of several
reference books (e.g., Allard, 1960; Simmonds, 1979; Sneep et al.,
1979; Fehr, 1987).
[0027] Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish
the level of superiority or improvement over current cultivars. In
addition to showing superior performance, there must be a demand
for a new cultivar that is compatible with industry standards or
which creates a new market. The introduction of a new cultivar will
incur additional costs to the seed producer, the grower, processor
and consumer for special advertising and marketing, altered seed
and commercial production practices, and new product utilization.
The testing preceding release of a new cultivar should take into
consideration research and development costs as well as technical
superiority of the final cultivar. For seed-propagated cultivars,
it must be feasible to produce seed easily and economically.
[0028] Soybean, Glycine max (L), is an important and valuable field
crop. Thus, a continuing goal of soybean plant breeders is to
develop stable, high yielding soybean cultivars that are
agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are obviously to
maximize the amount of grain produced on the land used and to
supply food for both animals and humans. To accomplish this goal,
the soybean breeder must select and develop soybean plants that
have traits that result in superior cultivars.
[0029] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations
related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not
exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become
apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the
specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described
in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to
be exemplary, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or
more of the above-described problems have been reduced or
eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other
improvements.
[0031] According to the invention, there is provided a new soybean
cultivar designated 6549250. This invention thus relates to the
seeds of soybean cultivar 6549250, to the plants of soybean
cultivar 6549250 and to methods for producing a soybean plant
produced by crossing the soybean cultivar 6549250 with itself or
another soybean cultivar, and the creation of variants by
mutagenesis or transformation of soybean cultivar 6549250.
[0032] Thus, any such methods using the soybean cultivar 6549250
are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid
production, crosses to populations, and the like. All plants
produced using soybean cultivar 6549250 as at least one parent are
within the scope of this invention. Advantageously, the soybean
cultivar could be used in crosses with other, different, soybean
plants to produce first generation (F.sub.1) soybean hybrid seeds
and plants with superior characteristics.
[0033] In another aspect, the present invention provides for single
or multiple gene converted plants of soybean cultivar 6549250. The
transferred gene(s) may preferably be a dominant or recessive
allele. Preferably, the transferred gene(s) will confer such traits
as herbicide resistance, insect resistance, resistance for
bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, male fertility, male
sterility, enhanced nutritional quality, and industrial usage. The
gene may be a naturally occurring soybean gene or a transgene
introduced through genetic engineering techniques.
[0034] In another aspect, the present invention provides
regenerable cells for use in tissue culture of soybean plant
6549250. The tissue culture will preferably be capable of
regenerating plants having all the physiological and morphological
characteristics of the foregoing soybean plant, and of regenerating
plants having substantially the same genotype as the foregoing
soybean plant. Preferably, the regenerable cells in such tissue
cultures will be embryos, protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus,
pollen, leaves, anthers, cotyledons, hypocotyl, pistils, roots,
root tips, flowers, seeds, petiole, pods or stems. Still further,
the present invention provides soybean plants regenerated from the
tissue cultures of the invention.
[0035] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments
described above, further aspects and embodiments will become
apparent by study of the following descriptions.
DEFINITIONS
[0036] In the description and tables that follow, a number of terms
are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding
of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given
such terms, the following definitions are provided:
[0037] Allele. An allele is any of one or more alternative forms of
a gene which relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid
cell or organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy
corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.
[0038] Backcrossing. Backcrossing is a process in which a breeder
repeatedly crosses hybrid progeny back to one of the parents, for
example, a first generation hybrid F.sub.1 with one of the parental
genotypes of the F.sub.1 hybrid.
[0039] Brown Stem Rot. This is a visual disease score from 1 to 9
comparing all genotypes in a given test. The score is based on leaf
symptoms of yellowing and necrosis caused by brown stem rot. Visual
scores range from a score of 9, which indicates no symptoms, to a
score of 1 which indicates severe symptoms of leaf yellowing and
necrosis.
[0040] Cotyledon. A cotyledon is a type of seed leaf. The cotyledon
contains the food storage tissues of the seed.
[0041] Embryo. The embryo is the small plant contained within a
mature seed.
[0042] Emergence. This score indicates the ability of the seed to
emerge when planted 3'' deep in sand at a controlled temperature of
25.degree. C. The number of plants that emerge each day are
counted. Based on this data, each genotype is given a 1 to 9 score
based on its rate of emergence and percent of emergence. A score of
9 indicates an excellent rate and percent of emergence, an
intermediate score of 5 indicates average ratings and a 1 score
indicates a very poor rate and percent of emergence.
[0043] Hilum. This refers to the scar left on the seed that marks
the place where the seed was attached to the pod prior to the seed
being harvested.
[0044] Hypocotyl. A hypocotyl is the portion of an embryo or
seedling between the cotyledons and the root. Therefore, it can be
considered a transition zone between shoot and root.
[0045] Iron Deficiency Chlorosis. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC)
is a yellowing of the leaves caused by a lack of iron in the
soybean plant. Iron is essential in the formation of chlorophyll,
which gives plants their green color. In high pH soils iron becomes
insoluble and cannot be absorbed by plant roots. Soybean cultivars
differ in their genetic ability to utilize the available iron. A
score of 9 means no stunting of the plants or yellowing of the
leaves and a score of 1 indicates the plants are dead or dying
caused by iron deficiency, a score of 5 means plants have
intermediate health with some leaf yellowing.
[0046] Lodging Resistance. Lodging is rated on a scale of 1 to 9. A
score of 9 indicates erect plants. A score of 5 indicates plants
are leaning at a 45.degree. angle in relation to the ground and a
score of 1 indicates plants are lying on the ground.
[0047] Maturity Date. Plants are considered mature when 95% of the
pods have reached their mature color. The number of days are
calculated either from August 31 or from the planting date.
[0048] Maturity Group. This refers to an agreed-on industry
division of groups of varieties based on zones in which they are
adapted, primarily according to day length or latitude. They
consist of very long day length varieties (Groups 000, 00, 0), and
extend to very short day length varieties (Groups VII, VIII, IX,
X).
[0049] Relative Maturity (RM). The term relative maturity is a
numerical value that is assigned to a soybean variety based on
comparisons with the maturity values of other varieties. The number
preceding the decimal point in the RM refers to the maturity group.
The number following the decimal point refers to the relative
earliness or lateness within each maturity group. For example, a
3.0 is an early group III variety, while a 3.9 is a late group III
variety.
[0050] Oil or oil percent. Soybean seeds contain a considerable
amount of oil. Oil is measured by NIR spectrophotometry, and is
reported on an as is percentage basis.
[0051] Oleic Acid Percent. Oleic acid is one of the five most
abundant fatty acids in soybean seeds. It is measured by gas
chromatography and is reported as a percent of the total oil
content.
[0052] Palmitic Acid Percent. Palmitic acid is one of the five most
abundant fatty acids in soybean seeds. It is measured by gas
chromatography and is reported as a percent of the total oil
content.
[0053] Phytophthora Tolerance. Tolerance to Phytophthora root rot
is rated on a scale of 1 to 9, with a score of 9 being the best or
highest tolerance ranging down to a score of 1 which indicates the
plants have no tolerance to Phytophthora.
[0054] Phenotypic Score. The Phenotypic Score is a visual rating of
general appearance of the variety. All visual traits are considered
in the score including healthiness, standability, appearance and
freedom of disease. Ratings are scored from 1 being poor to 9 being
excellent.
[0055] Plant Height. Plant height is taken from the top of the soil
to the top node of the plant and is measured in centimeters.
[0056] Pod. This refers to the fruit of a soybean plant. It
consists of the hull or shell (pericarp) and the soybean seeds.
[0057] Protein Percent. Soybean seeds contain a considerable amount
of protein. Protein is generally measured by NIR spectrophotometry
and is reported on an as is percentage basis.
[0058] Pubescence. This refers to a covering of very fine hairs
closely arranged on the leaves, stems and pods of the soybean
plant.
[0059] Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). Quantitative trait loci (QTL)
refer to genetic loci that control to some degree numerically
representable traits that are usually continuously distributed.
[0060] Regeneration. Regeneration refers to the development of a
plant from tissue culture.
[0061] Seed Protein Peroxidase Activity. Seed protein peroxidase
activity refers to a chemical taxonomic technique to separate
cultivars based on the presence or absence of the peroxidase enzyme
in the seed coat. There are two types of soybean cultivars, those
having high peroxidase activity (dark red color) and those having
low peroxidase activity (no color).
[0062] Seed Yield (Bushels/Acre). The yield in bushels/acre is the
actual yield of the grain at harvest.
[0063] Seeds per Pound. Soybean seeds vary in seed size, therefore,
the number of seeds required to make up one pound also varies. This
affects the pounds of seed required to plant a given area and can
also impact end uses.
[0064] Shattering. The amount of pod dehiscence prior to harvest.
Pod dehiscence involves seeds falling from the pods to the soil.
This is a visual score from 1 to 9 comparing all genotypes within a
given test. A score of 9 means pods have not opened and no seeds
have fallen out. A score of 5 indicates approximately 50% of the
pods have opened, with seeds falling to the ground and a score of 1
indicates 100% of the pods are opened.
[0065] Single Gene Converted (Conversion). Single gene converted
(conversion) plants refers to plants which are developed by a plant
breeding technique called backcrossing wherein essentially all of
the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of a
variety are recovered in addition to the single gene transferred
into the variety via the backcrossing technique or via genetic
engineering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] Soybean cultivar 6549250 is a mid-maturity group V variety
with resistance to glyphosate herbicides, including ROUNDUP
herbicide. Additionally, soybean cultivar 6549250 contains the rhg
1 gene conferring resistance to soybean cyst nematode and the Rps 1
a gene conferring resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot. Soybean
cultivar 6549250 has very high yield potential when compared to
lines of similar maturity and has excellent agronomic
characteristics including lodging resistance.
[0067] Some of the selection criteria used for various generations
include: seed yield, lodging resistance, emergence, disease
tolerance, maturity, late season plant intactness, plant height and
shattering resistance.
[0068] The cultivar has shown uniformity and stability, as
described in the following variety description information. It has
been self-pollinated a sufficient number of generations with
careful attention to uniformity of plant type. The line has been
increased with continued observation for uniformity.
[0069] Soybean cultivar 6549250 has the following morphologic and
other characteristics (based primarily on data collected at AdeI,
Iowa).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION Seed Coat
Color (Mature Seed): Yellow Seed Coat Luster (Mature Hand Dull
Shelled Seed): Cotyledon Color (Mature Seed): Yellow Leaflet Shape:
Ovate Growth Habit: Determinate Flower Color: White Hilum Color
(Mature Seed): Buff Plant Pubescence Color: Gray Pod Wall Color:
Tan Maturity Group: V Relative Maturity: 5.4 Plant Lodging Score: 7
Plant Height (cm): 84 Seed Size (# Seeds/lb.): 3800 Seed Content: %
Protein: 35.7 % Oil: 22.5 Physiological Responses: ROUNDUP
herbicide resistance to glyphosate herbicides Disease resistance:
Soybean Cyst Nematode - rhg 1 Phytophthora Root Rot - Rps 1a
[0070] This invention is also directed to methods for producing a
soybean plant by crossing a first parent soybean plant with a
second parent soybean plant, wherein the first or second soybean
plant is the soybean plant from cultivar 6549250. Further, both
first and second parent soybean plants may be from cultivar
6549250. Therefore, any methods using soybean cultivar 6549250 are
part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid breeding, and
crosses to populations. Any plants produced using soybean cultivar
6549250 as at least one parent are within the scope of this
invention.
[0071] Additional methods include, but are not limited to,
expression vectors introduced into plant tissues using a direct
gene transfer method such as microprojectile-mediated delivery, DNA
injection, electroporation and the like. More preferably,
expression vectors are introduced into plant tissues by using
either microprojectile-mediated delivery with a biolistic device or
by using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transformant plants
obtained with the protoplasm of the invention are intended to be
within the scope of this invention.
[0072] Soybean cultivar 6549250 is similar to soybean cultivar
927491. While similar to soybean cultivar 927491, there are
significant differences including: soybean cultivar 6549250 has
gray pubescence and buff hila, while soybean cultivar 927491 has
tawny pubescence and black hila.
Further Embodiments of the Invention
[0073] With the advent of molecular biological techniques that have
allowed the isolation and characterization of genes that encode
specific protein products, scientists in the field of plant biology
developed a strong interest in engineering the genome of plants to
contain and express foreign genes, or additional, or modified
versions of native, or endogenous, genes (perhaps driven by
different promoters) in order to alter the traits of a plant in a
specific manner. Such foreign additional and/or modified genes are
referred to herein collectively as "transgenes". Over the last
fifteen to twenty years several methods for producing transgenic
plants have been developed and the present invention, in particular
embodiments, also relates to transformed versions of the claimed
variety or line.
[0074] Plant transformation involves the construction of an
expression vector which will function in plant cells. Such a vector
comprises DNA comprising a gene under control of, or operatively
linked to, a regulatory element (for example, a promoter). The
expression vector may contain one or more such operably linked
gene/regulatory element combinations. The vector(s) may be in the
form of a plasmid and can be used alone or in combination with
other plasmids to provide transformed soybean plants using
transformation methods as described below to incorporate transgenes
into the genetic material of the soybean plant(s).
Expression Vectors for Soybean Transformation: Marker Genes
[0075] Expression vectors include at least one genetic marker
operably linked to a regulatory element (a promoter, for example)
that allows transformed cells containing the marker to be either
recovered by negative selection, i.e., inhibiting growth of cells
that do not contain the selectable marker gene, or by positive
selection, i.e., screening for the product encoded by the genetic
marker. Many commonly used selectable marker genes for plant
transformation are well known in the transformation arts, and
include, for example, genes that code for enzymes that
metabolically detoxify a selective chemical agent which may be an
antibiotic or an herbicide, or genes that encode an altered target
which is insensitive to the inhibitor. A few positive selection
methods are also known in the art.
[0076] One commonly used selectable marker gene for plant
transformation is the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene
which, when under the control of plant regulatory signals, confers
resistance to kanamycin. Fraley et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
80:4803 (1983). Another commonly used selectable marker gene is the
hygromycin phosphotransferase gene which confers resistance to the
antibiotic hygromycin. Vanden Elzen et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 5:299
(1985).
[0077] Additional selectable marker genes of bacterial origin that
confer resistance to antibiotics include gentamycin acetyl
transferase, streptomycin phosphotransferase and
aminoglycoside-3'-adenyl transferase, the bleomycin resistance
determinant (Hayford et al., Plant Physiol. 86:1216 (1988), Jones
et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 210:86 (1987), Svab et al., Plant Mol.
Biol. 14:197 (1990), Hille et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 7:171 (1986)).
Other selectable marker genes confer resistance to herbicides such
as glyphosate, glufosinate or bromoxynil (Comai et al., Nature
317:741-744 (1985), Gordon-Kamm et al., Plant Cell 2:603-618 (1990)
and Stalker et al., Science 242:419-423 (1988)).
[0078] Selectable marker genes for plant transformation not of
bacterial origin include, for example, mouse dihydrofolate
reductase, plant 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase and
plant acetolactate synthase (Eichholtz et al., Somatic Cell Mol.
Genet. 13:67 (1987), Shah et al., Science 233:478 (1986), Charest
et al., Plant Cell Rep. 8:643 (1990)).
[0079] Another class of marker genes for plant transformation
requires screening of presumptively transformed plant cells rather
than direct genetic selection of transformed cells for resistance
to a toxic substance such as an antibiotic. These genes are
particularly useful to quantify or visualize the spatial pattern of
expression of a gene in specific tissues and are frequently
referred to as reporter genes because they can be fused to a gene
or gene regulatory sequence for the investigation of gene
expression. Commonly used genes for screening presumptively
transformed cells include .beta.-glucuronidase (GUS),
.beta.-galactosidase, luciferase and chloramphenicol
acetyltransferase (Jefferson, R. A., Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 5:387
(1987), Teeri et al., EMBO J. 8:343 (1989), Koncz et al., Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:131 (1987), DeBlock et al., EMBO J. 3:1681
(1984)).
[0080] In vivo methods for visualizing GUS activity that do not
require destruction of plant tissue are available (Molecular Probes
publication 2908, IMAGENE GREEN, p. 1-4(1993) and Naleway et al.,
J. Cell Biol. 115:151a (1991)). However, these in vivo methods for
visualizing GUS activity have not proven useful for recovery of
transformed cells because of low sensitivity, high fluorescent
backgrounds and limitations associated with the use of luciferase
genes as selectable markers.
[0081] More recently, a gene encoding Green Fluorescent Protein
(GFP) has been utilized as a marker for gene expression in
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (Chalfie et al., Science 263:802
(1994)). GFP and mutants of GFP may be used as screenable
markers.
Expression Vectors for Soybean Transformation: Promoters
[0082] Genes included in expression vectors must be driven by a
nucleotide sequence comprising a regulatory element, for example, a
promoter. Several types of promoters are well known in the
transformation arts as are other regulatory elements that can be
used alone or in combination with promoters.
[0083] As used herein, "promoter" includes reference to a region of
DNA upstream from the start of transcription and involved in
recognition and binding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to
initiate transcription. A "plant promoter" is a promoter capable of
initiating transcription in plant cells. Examples of promoters
under developmental control include promoters that preferentially
initiate transcription in certain tissues, such as leaves, roots,
seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, or sclerenchyma. Such
promoters are referred to as "tissue-preferred". Promoters that
initiate transcription only in a certain tissue are referred to as
"tissue-specific". A "cell-type" specific promoter primarily drives
expression in certain cell types in one or more organs, for
example, vascular cells in roots or leaves. An "inducible" promoter
is a promoter which is under environmental control. Examples of
environmental conditions that may effect transcription by inducible
promoters include anaerobic conditions or the presence of light.
Tissue-specific, tissue-preferred, cell type specific, and
inducible promoters constitute the class of "non-constitutive"
promoters. A "constitutive" promoter is a promoter that is active
under most environmental conditions.
[0084] A. Inducible Promoters--An inducible promoter is operably
linked to a gene for expression in soybean. Optionally, the
inducible promoter is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence
encoding a signal sequence which is operably linked to a gene for
expression in soybean. With an inducible promoter the rate of
transcription increases in response to an inducing agent.
[0085] Any inducible promoter can be used in the instant invention.
See Ward et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 22:361-366 (1993). Exemplary
inducible promoters include, but are not limited to, that from the
ACEI system which responds to copper (Mett et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 90:4567-4571 (1993)); ln2 gene from maize which
responds to benzenesulfonamide herbicide safeners (Hershey et al.,
Mol. Gen. Genetics 227:229-237 (1991) and Gatz et al., Mol. Gen.
Genetics 243:32-38 (1994)) or Tet repressor from Tn10 (Gatz et al.,
Mol. Gen. Genetics 227:229-237 (1991)). A particularly preferred
inducible promoter is a promoter that responds to an inducing agent
to which plants do not normally respond. An exemplary inducible
promoter is the inducible promoter from a steroid hormone gene, the
transcriptional activity of which is induced by a
glucocorticosteroid hormone (Schena et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA 88:0421 (1991)).
[0086] B. Constitutive Promoters--A constitutive promoter is
operably linked to a gene for expression in soybean or the
constitutive promoter is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence
encoding a signal sequence which is operably linked to a gene for
expression in soybean.
[0087] Many different constitutive promoters can be utilized in the
instant invention. Exemplary constitutive promoters include, but
are not limited to, the promoters from plant viruses such as the
35S promoter from CaMV (Odell et al., Nature 313:810-812 (1985))
and the promoters from such genes as rice actin (McElroy et al.,
Plant Cell 2: 163-171 (1990)); ubiquitin (Christensen et al., Plant
Mol. Biol. 12:619-632 (1989) and Christensen et al., Plant Mol.
Biol. 18:675-689 (1992)); PEMU (Last et al., Theor. Appl. Genet.
81:581-588 (1991)); MAS (Velten et al., EMBO J. 3:2723-2730 (1984))
and maize H3 histone (Lepetit et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics
231:276-285 (1992) and Atanassova et al., Plant Journal 2 (3):
291-300 (1992)). The ALS promoter, Xba1/NcoI fragment 5' to the
Brassica napus ALS3 structural gene (or a nucleotide sequence
similarity to said Xba1/NcoI fragment), represents a particularly
useful constitutive promoter. See PCT application WO 96/30530.
[0088] C. Tissue-specific or Tissue-preferred Promoters--A
tissue-specific promoter is operably linked to a gene for
expression in soybean. Optionally, the tissue-specific promoter is
operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence
which is operably linked to a gene for expression in soybean.
Plants transformed with a gene of interest operably linked to a
tissue-specific promoter produce the protein product of the
transgene exclusively, or preferentially, in a specific tissue.
[0089] Any tissue-specific or tissue-preferred promoter can be
utilized in the instant invention. Exemplary tissue-specific or
tissue-preferred promoters include, but are not limited to, a
root-preferred promoter such as that from the phaseolin gene (Murai
et al., Science 23:476-482 (1983) and Sengupta-Gopalan et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3320-3324 (1985)); a leaf-specific
and light-induced promoter such as that from cab or rubisco
(Simpson et al., EMBO J. 4(11):2723-2729 (1985) and Timko et al.,
Nature 318:579-582 (1985)); an anther-specific promoter such as
that from LAT52 (Twell et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics 217:240-245
(1989)); a pollen-specific promoter such as that from Zm13
(Guerrero et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics 244:161-168 (1993)) or a
microspore-preferred promoter such as that from apg (Twell et al.,
Sex. Plant Reprod. 6:217-224 (1993)).
Signal Sequences for Targeting Proteins to Subcellular
Compartments
[0090] Transport of protein produced by transgenes to a subcellular
compartment such as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome,
glyoxysome, cell wall or mitochondrion or for secretion into the
apoplast, is accomplished by means of operably linking the
nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence to the 5' and/or 3'
region of a gene encoding the protein of interest. Targeting
sequences at the 5' and/or 3' end of the structural gene may
determine during protein synthesis and processing where the encoded
protein is ultimately compartmentalized.
[0091] The presence of a signal sequence directs a polypeptide to
either an intracellular organelle or subcellular compartment or for
secretion to the apoplast. Many signal sequences are known in the
art. See, for example, Becker et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 20:49
(1992); Close, P. S., Master's Thesis, Iowa State University
(1993); Knox, C., et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 9:3-17 (1987); Lerner et
al., Plant Physiol. 91:124-129 (1989); Frontes et al., Plant Cell
3:483-496 (1991); Matsuoka et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:834
(1991); Gould et al., J. Cell. Biol. 108:1657 (1989); Creissen et
al., Plant J. 2:129 (1991); Kalderon, et al., Cell 39:499-509
(1984); Steifel, et al., Plant Cell 2:785-793 (1990).
Foreign Protein Genes and Agronomic Genes
[0092] With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a
foreign protein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus,
techniques for the selection and propagation of transformed plants,
which are well understood in the art, yield a plurality of
transgenic plants which are harvested in a conventional manner, and
a foreign protein then can be extracted from a tissue of interest
or from total biomass. Protein extraction from plant biomass can be
accomplished by known methods which are discussed, for example, by
Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem. 114:92-6 (1981).
[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, the transgenic plant
provided for commercial production of foreign protein is a soybean
plant. In another preferred embodiment, the biomass of interest is
seed. For the relatively small number of transgenic plants that
show higher levels of expression, a genetic map can be generated,
primarily via conventional RFLP, PCR and SSR analysis, which
identifies the approximate chromosomal location of the integrated
DNA molecule. For exemplary methodologies in this regard, see Glick
and Thompson, Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology,
CRC Press, Boca Raton 269:284 (1993). Map information concerning
chromosomal location is useful for proprietary protection of a
subject transgenic plant. If unauthorized propagation is undertaken
and crosses made with other germplasm, the map of the integration
region can be compared to similar maps for suspect plants, to
determine if the latter have a common parentage with the subject
plant. Map comparisons would involve hybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR
and sequencing, all of which are conventional techniques.
[0094] Likewise, by means of the present invention, agronomic genes
can be expressed in transformed plants. More particularly, plants
can be genetically engineered to express various phenotypes of
agronomic interest. Exemplary genes implicated in this regard
include, but are not limited to, those categorized below:
1. Genes that Confer Resistance to Pests or Disease and that
Encode:
[0095] A. Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often
activated by specific interaction between the product of a disease
resistance gene (R) in the plant and the product of a corresponding
avirulence (Avr) gene in the pathogen. A plant variety can be
transformed with one or more cloned resistance genes to engineer
plants that are resistant to specific pathogen strains. See, for
example Jones et al., Science 266:789 (1994) (cloning of the tomato
Cf-9 gene for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum); Martin et al.,
Science 262:1432 (1993) (tomato Pto gene for resistance to
Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein kinase);
Mindrinos et al. Cell 78:1089 (1994) (Arabidopsis RSP2 gene for
resistance to Pseudomonas syringae).
[0096] B. A gene conferring resistance to a pest, such as soybean
cyst nematode. See e.g., PCT Application WO 96/30517; PCT
Application WO 93/19181.
[0097] C. A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or
a synthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser
et al., Gene 48:109 (1986), who disclose the cloning and nucleotide
sequence of a Bt .delta.-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA molecules
encoding .delta.-endotoxin genes can be purchased from American
Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va., for example, under ATCC
Accession Nos. 40098, 67136, 31995 and 31998.
[0098] D. A lectin. See, for example, Van Damme et al., Plant
Molec. Biol. 24:25 (1994), who disclose the nucleotide sequences of
several Clivia miniata mannose-binding lectin genes.
[0099] E. A vitamin-binding protein such as avidin. See PCT
application US 93/06487 which teaches the use of avidin and avidin
homologues as larvicides against insect pests.
[0100] F. An enzyme inhibitor, for example, a protease or
proteinase inhibitor or an amylase inhibitor. See, for example, Abe
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262:16793 (1987) (nucleotide sequence of
rice cysteine proteinase inhibitor), Huub et al., Plant Molec.
Biol. 21:985 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding tobacco
proteinase inhibitor 1), Sumitani et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem.
57:1243 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of Streptomyces nitrosporeus
.alpha.-amylase inhibitor) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,813 (Hepher and
Atkinson, issued Feb. 27, 1996).
[0101] G. An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an
ecdysteroid or juvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic based
thereon, or an antagonist or agonist thereof. See, for example, the
disclosure by Hammock et al., Nature 344:458 (1990), of baculovirus
expression of cloned juvenile hormone esterase, an inactivator of
juvenile hormone.
[0102] H. An insect-specific peptide or neuropeptide which, upon
expression, disrupts the physiology of the affected pest. For
example, see the disclosures of Regan, J. Biol. Chem. 269:9 (1994)
(expression cloning yields DNA coding for insect diuretic hormone
receptor), and Pratt et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 163:1243
(1989) (an allostatin is identified in Diploptera puntata). See
also U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,317 to Tomalski et al., which discloses
genes encoding insect-specific, paralytic neurotoxins.
[0103] I. An insect-specific venom produced in nature by a snake, a
wasp, etc. For example, see Pang et al., Gene 116:165 (1992), for
disclosure of heterologous expression in plants of a gene coding
for a scorpion insectotoxic peptide.
[0104] J. An enzyme responsible for a hyperaccumulation of a
monoterpene, a sesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a
phenylpropanoid derivative or another non-protein molecule with
insecticidal activity.
[0105] K. An enzyme involved in the modification, including the
post-translational modification, of a biologically active molecule;
for example, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme, a lipolytic
enzyme, a nuclease, a cyclase, a transaminase, an esterase, a
hydrolase, a phosphatase, a kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase,
an elastase, a chitinase and a glucanase, whether natural or
synthetic. See PCT application WO 93/02197 (Scott et al.), which
discloses the nucleotide sequence of a callase gene. DNA molecules
which contain chitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for
example, from the ATCC under Accession Nos. 39637 and 67152. See
also Kramer et al., Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 23:691 (1993), who
teach the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding tobacco hornworm
chitinase, and Kawalleck et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:673 (1993),
who provide the nucleotide sequence of the parsley ubi4-2
polyubiquitin gene.
[0106] L. A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For
example, see the disclosure by Botella et al., Plant Molec. Biol.
24:757 (1994), of nucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin
cDNA clones, and Griess et al., Plant Physiol. 104:1467 (1994), who
provide the nucleotide sequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA
clone.
[0107] M. A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT application WO
95/16776, which discloses peptide derivatives of tachyplesin which
inhibit fungal plant pathogens, and PCT application WO 95/18855
which teaches synthetic antimicrobial peptides that confer disease
resistance.
[0108] N. A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel
blocker. For example, see the disclosure of Jaynes et al., Plant
Sci 89:43 (1993), of heterologous expression of a cecropin-.beta.
lytic peptide analog to render transgenic tobacco plants resistant
to Pseudomonas solanacearum.
[0109] O. A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived
therefrom. For example, the accumulation of viral coat proteins in
transformed plant cells imparts resistance to viral infection
and/or disease development effected by the virus from which the
coat protein gene is derived, as well as by related viruses. See
Beachy et al., Ann. Rev. Phytopathol. 28:451 (1990). Coat
protein-mediated resistance has been conferred upon transformed
plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus and
tobacco mosaic virus.
[0110] P. An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived
therefrom. Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic
function in the insect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme,
killing the insect. See Taylor et al., Abstract #497, Seventh Int'l
Symposium on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (Edinburgh,
Scotland) (1994) (enzymatic inactivation in transgenic tobacco via
production of single-chain antibody fragments).
[0111] Q. A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki
et al., Nature 366:469 (1993), who show that transgenic plants
expressing recombinant antibody genes are protected from virus
attack.
[0112] R. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a
pathogen or a parasite. Thus, fungal
endo-.alpha.-1,4-D-polygalacturonases facilitate fungal
colonization and plant nutrient release by solubilizing plant cell
wall homo-.alpha.-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb et al.,
Bio/Technology 10:1436 (1992). The cloning and characterization of
a gene which encodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting
protein is described by Toubart et al., Plant J. 2:367 (1992).
[0113] S. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a
plant. For example, Logemann et al., Bio/Technology 10:305 (1992),
have shown that transgenic plants expressing the barley
ribosome-inactivating gene have an increased resistance to fungal
disease.
[0114] T. Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR)
Response and/or the pathogenesis-related genes. Briggs, S., Current
Biology, 5(2) (1995).
[0115] U. Antifungal genes. See Cornelissen and Melchers, Plant
Physiol., 101:709-712 (1993); Parijs et al., Planta 183:258-264
(1991) and Bushnell et al., Can. J. of Plant Path. 20(2):137-149
(1998).
[0116] V. Genes that confer resistance to Phytophthora root rot,
such as the Rps 1, Rps 1-a, Rps 1-b, Rps 1-c, Rps 1-d, Rps 1-e, Rps
1-k, Rps 2, Rps 3-a, Rps 3-b, Rps 3-c, Rps 4, Rps 5, Rps 6, Rps 7
and other Rps genes. See, for example, Shoemaker et al.,
Phytophthora Root Rot Resistance Gene Mapping in Soybean, Plant
Genome IV Conference, San Diego, Calif. (1995).
2. Genes that Confer Resistance to an Herbicide, for Example:
[0117] A. An herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem,
such as an imidazolinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in this
category code for mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as described, for
example, by Lee et al., EMBO J. 7:1241 (1988), and Miki et al.,
Theor. Appl. Genet. 80:449 (1990), respectively.
[0118] B. Glyphosate (resistance conferred by mutant
5-enolpyruvishikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) and aroA genes,
respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as glufosinate
(phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) and Streptomyces
hygroscopicus PAT bar genes), and pyridinoxy or phenoxy proprionic
acids and cyclohexones (ACCase inhibitor-encoding genes). See, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,835 to Shah, et al., which discloses
the nucleotide sequence of a form of EPSPS which can confer
glyphosate resistance. A DNA molecule encoding a mutant aroA gene
can be obtained under ATCC accession number 39256, and the
nucleotide sequence of the mutant gene is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,769,061 to Comai. European patent application No. 0 333 033
to Kumada et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374 to Goodman et al.,
disclose nucleotide sequences of glutamine synthetase genes which
confer resistance to herbicides such as L-phosphinothricin. The
nucleotide sequence of a PAT gene is provided in European
application No. 0 242 246 to Leemans et al. DeGreef et al.,
Bio/Technology 7:61 (1989) describe the production of transgenic
plants that express chimeric bar genes coding for phosphinothricin
acetyl transferase activity. Exemplary of genes conferring
resistance to phenoxy proprionic acids and cyclohexones, such as
sethoxydim and haloxyfop are the Acc1-S1, Acc1-S2, and Acc2-S3
genes described by Marshall et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 83:435
(1992).
[0119] C. An herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a
triazine (psbA and gs+genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase gene).
Przibila et al., Plant Cell 3:169 (1991), describe the
transformation of Chlamydomonas with plasmids encoding mutant psbA
genes. Nucleotide sequences for nitrilase genes are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker and DNA molecules containing
these genes are available under ATCC Accession Nos. 53435, 67441
and 67442. Cloning and expression of DNA coding for a glutathione
S-transferase is described by Hayes et al., Biochem. J. 285:173
(1992).
[0120] D. Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make
plants that express this enzyme resistant to multiple types of
herbicides, has been introduced into a variety of plants. See
Hattori et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 246:419, 1995. Other genes that
confer tolerance to herbicides include a gene encoding a chimeric
protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1 and yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450
oxidoreductase (Shiota et al., Plant Physiol., 106:17, 1994), genes
for glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase (Aono et al.,
Plant Cell Physiol. 36:1687, 1995), and genes for various
phosphotransferases (Datta et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 20:619,
1992).
[0121] E. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the
production of chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant
survival. The protox enzyme serves as the target for a variety of
herbicidal compounds. These herbicides also inhibit growth of all
the different species of plants present, causing their total
destruction. The development of plants containing altered protox
activity which are resistant to these herbicides are described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,306; 6,282,837; 5,767,373; and international
publication WO 01/12825.
3. Genes that Confer or Contribute to a Value-Added Trait, Such
as:
[0122] A. Modified fatty acid metabolism, for example, by
transforming a plant with an antisense gene of stearyl-ACP
desaturase to increase stearic acid content of the plant. See
Knultzon et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:2625 (1992).
[0123] B. Decreased phytate content--1) Introduction of a
phytase-encoding gene enhances breakdown of phytate, adding more
free phosphate to the transformed plant. For example, see Van
Hartingsveldt et al., Gene 127:87 (1993), for a disclosure of the
nucleotide sequence of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene. 2) A gene
could be introduced that reduced phytate content. This could be
accomplished by cloning and then reintroducing DNA associated with
the single allele which is responsible for maize mutants
characterized by low levels of phytic acid. See Raboy et al.,
Maydica 35:383 (1990).
[0124] C. Modified carbohydrate composition effected, for example,
by transforming plants with a gene coding for an enzyme that alters
the branching pattern of starch. See Shiroza et al., J. Bacteriol.
170:810 (1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutants
fructosyltransferase gene), Steinmetz et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.
20:220 (1985) (nucleotide sequence of Bacillus subtilis
levansucrase gene), Pen et al., Bio/Technology 10:292 (1992)
(production of transgenic plants that express Bacillus
licheniformis .alpha.-amylase), Elliot et al., Plant Molec. Biol.
21:515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato invertase genes),
Sogaard et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268:22480 (1993) (site-directed
mutagenesis of barley .alpha.-amylase gene), and Fisher et al.,
Plant Physiol. 102:1045 (1993) (maize endosperm starch branching
enzyme II).
[0125] D. Elevated oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or
decreased linolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification. See U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,063,947; 6,323,392; and international publication WO
93/11245.
4. Genes that Control Male Sterility
[0126] A. Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of a
tapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the chemical
N-Ac-PPT. See international publication WO 01/29237.
[0127] B. Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters. See
international publications WO 92/13956 and WO 92/13957.
[0128] C. Introduction of the barnase and the barstar genes. See
Paul et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 19:611-622, 1992).
Methods for Soybean Transformation
[0129] Numerous methods for plant transformation have been
developed including biological and physical plant transformation
protocols. See, for example, Miki et al., "Procedures for
Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants" in Methods in Plant Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds.
(CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, 1993) pages 67-88. In addition,
expression vectors and in-vitro culture methods for plant cell or
tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available.
See, for example, Gruber et al., "Vectors for Plant Transformation"
in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B.
R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993)
pages 89-119.
[0130] A. Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation--One method for
introducing an expression vector into plants is based on the
natural transformation system of Agrobacterium. See, for example,
Horsch et al., Science 227:1229 (1985). A. tumefaciens and A.
rhizogenes are plant pathogenic soil bacteria which genetically
transform plant cells. The Ti and Ri plasmids of A. tumefaciens and
A. rhizogenes, respectively, carry genes responsible for genetic
transformation of the plant. See, for example, Kado, C. I., Crit.
Rev. Plant Sci. 10:1 (1991). Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector
systems and methods for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer are
provided by Gruber et al., supra, Miki et al., supra and Moloney et
al., Plant Cell Reports 8:238 (1989). See also, U.S. Pat. No.
5,563,055 (Townsend and Thomas), issued Oct. 8, 1996.
[0131] B. Direct Gene Transfer--Several methods of plant
transformation, collectively referred to as direct gene transfer,
have been developed as an alternative to Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation. A generally applicable method of plant
transformation is microprojectile-mediated transformation where DNA
is carried on the surface of microprojectiles measuring 1 to 4
.mu.m. The expression vector is introduced into plant tissues with
a biolistic device that accelerates the microprojectiles to speeds
of 300 to 600 m/s which is sufficient to penetrate plant cell walls
and membranes. Sanford et al., Part. Sci. Technol. 5:27 (1987);
Sanford, J. C., Trends Biotech. 6:299 (1988); Klein et al.,
Bio/Tech. 6:559-563 (1988); Sanford, J. C. Physiol Plant 7:206
(1990); Klein et al., Biotechnology 10:268 (1992). See also U.S.
Pat. No. 5,015,580 (Christou, et al.), issued May 14, 1991 and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,322,783 (Tomes, et al.), issued Jun. 21, 1994.
[0132] Another method for physical delivery of DNA to plants is
sonication of target cells. Zhang et al., Bio/Technology 9:996
(1991). Alternatively, liposome and spheroplast fusion have been
used to introduce expression vectors into plants. Deshayes et al.,
EMBO J., 4:2731 (1985); Christou et al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
84:3962 (1987). Direct uptake of DNA into protoplasts using
CaCl.sub.2 precipitation, polyvinyl alcohol or poly-L-ornithine
have also been reported. Hain et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 199:161
(1985) and Draper et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 23:451 (1982).
Electroporation of protoplasts and whole cells and tissues have
also been described (Donn et al., In Abstracts of VIIth
International Congress on Plant Cell and Tissue Culture IAPTC,
A2-38, p 53 (1990); D'Halluin et al., Plant Cell 4:1495-1505 (1992)
and Spencer et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 24:51-61 (1994)).
[0133] Following transformation of soybean target tissues,
expression of the above-described selectable marker genes allows
for preferential selection of transformed cells, tissues and/or
plants, using regeneration and selection methods well known in the
art.
[0134] The foregoing methods for transformation would typically be
used for producing a transgenic variety. The transgenic variety
could then be crossed with another (non-transformed or transformed)
variety in order to produce a new transgenic variety.
Alternatively, a genetic trait that has been engineered into a
particular soybean line using the foregoing transformation
techniques could be moved into another line using traditional
backcrossing techniques that are well known in the plant breeding
arts. For example, a backcrossing approach could be used to move an
engineered trait from a public, non-elite variety into an elite
variety, or from a variety containing a foreign gene in its genome
into a variety or varieties that do not contain that gene. As used
herein, "crossing" can refer to a simple X by Y cross or the
process of backcrossing depending on the context.
Single-Gene Conversions
[0135] When the term "soybean plant" is used in the context of the
present invention, this also includes any single gene conversions
of that variety. The term single gene converted plant as used
herein refers to those soybean plants which are developed by a
plant breeding technique called backcrossing wherein essentially
all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics
of a variety are recovered in addition to the single gene
transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique.
Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to
improve or introduce a characteristic into the variety. The term
"backcrossing" as used herein refers to the repeated crossing of a
hybrid progeny back to the recurrent parent, i.e., backcrossing 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more times to the recurrent parent. The
parental soybean plant that contributes the gene for the desired
characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This
terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used
one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur.
The parental soybean plant to which the gene or genes from the
nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent
parent as it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing
protocol (Poehlman & Sleper, 1994; Fehr, 1987). In a typical
backcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent
parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that
carries the single gene of interest to be transferred. The
resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to the
recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a soybean plant
is obtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological
and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are
recovered in the converted plant, in addition to the single
transferred gene from the nonrecurrent parent
[0136] The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important
step for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a
backcross protocol is to alter or substitute a single trait or
characteristic in the original variety. To accomplish this, a
single gene of the recurrent variety is modified or substituted
with the desired gene from the nonrecurrent parent, while retaining
essentially all of the rest of the desired genetic, and therefore
the desired physiological and morphological, constitution of the
original variety. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent
will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one of the major
purposes is to add some agronomically important trait to the plant.
The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic
or trait being altered to determine an appropriate testing
protocol. Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the
characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive
allele may also be transferred. In this instance it may be
necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the
desired characteristic has been successfully transferred.
[0137] Many single gene traits have been identified that are not
regularly selected for in the development of a new variety but that
can be improved by backcrossing techniques. Single gene traits may
or may not be transgenic; examples of these traits include but are
not limited to, male sterility, waxy starch, herbicide resistance,
resistance for bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, insect
resistance, male fertility, enhanced nutritional quality,
industrial usage, yield stability and yield enhancement. These
genes are generally inherited through the nucleus. Several of these
single gene traits are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185;
5,973,234 and 5,977,445; the disclosures of which are specifically
hereby incorporated by reference.
Tissue Culture
[0138] Further reproduction of the variety can occur by tissue
culture and regeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of
soybeans and regeneration of plants therefrom is well known and
widely published. For example, reference may be had to Komatsuda,
T. et al., Crop Sci. 31:333-337 (1991); Stephens, P. A., et al.,
Theor. Appl. Genet. (1991) 82:633-635; Komatsuda, T. et al., Plant
Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 28:103-113 (1992); Dhir, S. et al.,
Plant Cell Reports (1992) 11:285-289; Pandey, P. et al., Japan J.
Breed. 42:1-5 (1992); and Shetty, K., et al., Plant Science
81:245-251 (1992); as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,944 issued Jun.
18, 1991 to Collins et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,200 issued Apr.
16, 1991 to Ranch et al. Thus, another aspect of this invention is
to provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce
soybean plants having the physiological and morphological
characteristics of soybean cultivar 6549250.
[0139] As used herein, the term "tissue culture" indicates a
composition comprising isolated cells of the same or a different
type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of a plant.
Exemplary types of tissue cultures are protoplasts, calli, plant
clumps, and plant cells that can generate tissue culture that are
intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen,
flowers, seeds, pods, leaves, stems, roots, root tips, anthers,
pistils and the like. Means for preparing and maintaining plant
tissue culture are well known in the art. By way of example, a
tissue culture comprising organs has been used to produce
regenerated plants. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185; 5,973,234 and
5,977,445 describe certain techniques, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
Additional Breeding Methods
[0140] This invention also is directed to methods for producing a
soybean plant by crossing a first parent soybean plant with a
second parent soybean plant wherein the first or second parent
soybean plant is a soybean plant of cultivar 6549250. Further, both
first and second parent soybean plants can come from soybean
cultivar 6549250. Thus, any such methods using soybean cultivar
6549250 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid
production, crosses to populations, and the like. All plants
produced using soybean cultivar 6549250 as at least one parent are
within the scope of this invention, including those developed from
cultivars derived from soybean cultivar 6549250. Advantageously,
this soybean cultivar could be used in crosses with other,
different, soybean plants to produce the first generation (F.sub.1)
soybean hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics. The
cultivar of the invention can also be used for transformation where
exogenous genes are introduced and expressed by the cultivar of the
invention. Genetic variants created either through traditional
breeding methods using soybean cultivar 6549250 or through
transformation of cultivar 6549250 by any of a number of protocols
known to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the
scope of this invention.
[0141] The following describes breeding methods that may be used
with soybean cultivar 6549250 in the development of further soybean
plants. One such embodiment is a method for developing a cultivar
6549250 progeny soybean plant in a soybean plant breeding program
comprising: obtaining the soybean plant, or a part thereof, of
cultivar 6549250 utilizing said plant or plant part as a source of
breeding material and selecting a soybean cultivar 6549250 progeny
plant with molecular markers in common with cultivar 6549250 and/or
with morphological and/or physiological characteristics selected
from the characteristics listed in Tables 1 or 2. Breeding steps
that may be used in the soybean plant breeding program include
pedigree breeding, backcrossing, mutation breeding, and recurrent
selection. In conjunction with these steps, techniques such as
RFLP-enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection (for
example SSR markers) and the making of double haploids may be
utilized.
[0142] Another method involves producing a population of soybean
cultivar 6549250 progeny soybean plants, comprising crossing
cultivar 6549250 with another soybean plant, thereby producing a
population of soybean plants, which, on average, derive 50% of
their alleles from soybean cultivar 6549250. A plant of this
population may be selected and repeatedly selfed or sibbed with a
soybean cultivar resulting from these successive filial
generations. One embodiment of this invention is the soybean
cultivar produced by this method and that has obtained at least 50%
of its alleles from soybean cultivar 6549250.
[0143] One of ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would
know how to evaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine
if there is no significant difference between the two traits
expressed by those varieties. For example, see Fehr and Walt,
Principles of Cultivar Development, p 261-286 (1987). Thus the
invention includes soybean cultivar 6549250 progeny soybean plants
comprising a combination of at least two cultivar 6549250 traits
selected from the group consisting of those listed in Tables 1 and
2 or the cultivar 6549250 combination of traits listed in the
Summary of the Invention, so that said progeny soybean plant is not
significantly different for said traits than soybean cultivar
6549250 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in
the same environmental conditions. Using techniques described
herein, molecular markers may be used to identify said progeny
plant as a soybean cultivar 6549250 progeny plant. Mean trait
values may be used to determine whether trait differences are
significant, and preferably the traits are measured on plants grown
under the same environmental conditions. Once such a variety is
developed its value is substantial since it is important to advance
the germplasm base as a whole in order to maintain or improve
traits such as yield, disease resistance, pest resistance, and
plant performance in extreme environmental conditions.
[0144] Progeny of soybean cultivar 6549250 may also be
characterized through their filial relationship with soybean
cultivar 6549250, as for example, being within a certain number of
breeding crosses of soybean cultivar 6549250. A breeding cross is a
cross made to introduce new genetics into the progeny, and is
distinguished from a cross, such as a self or a sib cross, made to
select among existing genetic alleles. The lower the number of
breeding crosses in the pedigree, the closer the relationship
between soybean cultivar 6549250 and its progeny. For example,
progeny produced by the methods described herein may be within 1,
2, 3, 4 or 5 breeding crosses of soybean cultivar 6549250.
[0145] As used herein, the term "plant" includes plant cells, plant
protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which soybean plants
can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that
are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen,
ovules, flowers, pods, leaves, roots, root tips, anthers,
cotyledons, hypocotyls, stems, pistils, petiole, and the like.
INDUSTRIAL USES
[0146] The seed of soybean cultivar 6549250, the plant produced
from the seed, the hybrid soybean plant produced from the crossing
of the variety with any other soybean plant, hybrid seed, and
various parts of the hybrid soybean plant can be utilized for human
food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.
[0147] The soybean is the world's leading source of vegetable oil
and protein meal. The oil extracted from soybeans is used for
cooking oil, margarine, and salad dressings. Soybean oil is
composed of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty
acids. It has a typical composition of 11% palmitic, 4% stearic,
25% oleic, 50% linoleic and 9% linolenic fatty acid content
("Economic Implications of Modified Soybean Traits Summary Report",
Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and American Soybean Association
Special Report 92S, May 1990). Changes in fatty acid composition
for improved oxidative stability and nutrition are constantly
sought after. Industrial uses of soybean oil which is subjected to
further processing include ingredients for paints, plastics,
fibers, detergents, cosmetics, lubricants and biodiesel fuel.
Soybean oil may be split, inter-esterified, sulfurized, epoxidized,
polymerized, ethoxylated, or cleaved. Designing and producing
soybean oil derivatives with improved functionality and improved
oliochemistry is a rapidly growing field. The typical mixture of
triglycerides is usually split and separated into pure fatty acids,
which are then combined with petroleum-derived alcohols or acids,
nitrogen, sulfonates, chlorine, or with fatty alcohols derived from
fats and oils.
[0148] Soybean is also used as a food source for both animals and
humans. Soybean is widely used as a source of protein for animal
feeds for poultry, swine and cattle. During processing of whole
soybeans, the fibrous hull is removed and the oil is extracted. The
remaining soybean meal is a combination of carbohydrates and
approximately 50% protein.
[0149] For human consumption soybean meal is made into soybean
flour which is processed to protein concentrates used for meat
extenders or specialty pet foods. Production of edible protein
ingredients from soybean offers a healthier, less expensive
replacement for animal protein in meats as well as in dairy-type
products.
TABLES
[0150] In Table 2 that follows, the traits and characteristics of
soybean cultivar 6549250 are compared to several competing
varieties of commercial soybeans of similar maturity. In Table 2,
column 1 shows the comparison number, column 2 shows the test year,
column 3 shows the number of locations, column 4 shows the number
of observations, column 5 indicates the genotype, column 6 shows
the mean yield, column 7 indicates the t value and columns 8 and 9
indicate the critical t values at the 0.05% and 0.01% levels of
significance, respectively.
[0151] As shown in Table 2, soybean cultivar 6549250 yields better
than 4 commercial varieties with the increase over P95M30 being
significant at the 0.01 level of probability and the increase over
CSRS5022N, DK5161 RR, and AG5501 being significant at the 0.05
level of probability.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 PAIRED COMPARISONS # of # of t Critical
Critical Comp # Year Loc. Obs Genotype Mean Yield Value t @ .05 t @
.01 1 2006 17 34 6549250 44.8 1.78* 1.69 2.44 CSRS5022N 42.4 2 2006
17 34 6549250 44.8 1.94* 1.69 2.44 DK5161RR 42.6 3 2006 17 34
6549250 44.8 3.85** 1.69 2.44 P95M30 40.4 4 2006 17 34 6549250 44.8
1.85* 1.69 2.44 AG5501 42.8 *Significant at .05 level of
probability **Significant at .01 level of probability
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
[0152] A deposit of the soybean seed of this invention is
maintained by Mertec LLC, 103 Avenue D, West Point, Iowa 52656.
Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of
this application to persons determined by the Commissioner of
Patents and Trademarks to be entitled thereto under 37 CFR
.sctn.1.14 and 35 USC .sctn.122. Upon allowance of any claims in
this application, all restrictions on the availability to the
public of the variety will be irrevocably removed by affording
access to a deposit of at least 2,500 seeds of the same variety
with the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va. or
National Collections of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria
(NCIMB), 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB24 3RY, United
Kingdom.
[0153] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have
been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize
certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations
thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended
claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include
all such modifications, permutations, additions and
sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
* * * * *