Research and technology development for sustainable management of soybean crops in northwestern Argentina

PLOPER, L.D.

Tucumán

Congreso; XXX Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2013

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is considered a strategic crop in northwestern Argentina (NWA). In the 2010-11 growing season, 5.13 × 106 t were produced from 2.02 × 106 ha, although these figures decreased in 2011-12 and 2012-13 as a result of severe droughts that affected this part of the country. Various public institutions and private companies carry on research and development activities in NWA related to different aspects of production and commercialization of soybean. The Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC), whose results have an impact beyond the borders of NWA, works actively on the development and commercialization of new soybean cultivars with disease resistance and high yield potential, adapted not only to agro-ecological regions of northern Argentina, but also to soybean growing regions in other countries: Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and South Africa. Soybean breeding is currently supported at the EEAOC by biotechnology tools. One molecular marker associated with rust resistance has been identified while other markers associated with QTLs for drought tolerance have been mapped. A technique developed to replicate drought stress under controlled conditions has been crucial to advance this objective. Known molecular markers associated with resistance to other pathogens are also being validated to be used in marker assisted selection. The regional evaluation of commercially available cultivars by the EEAOC is another activity highly regarded by growers and consultants in NWA. This network of macro-plots in field tests has been conducted continuously in the region since the 1997-98 season, providing valuable information about the behavior of newly released cultivars. Results from research on crop management (conservation systems, seed quality, planting date and maturity groups, inoculants, fertilization and amendments, etc.) are also well appreciated by growers. Special consideration is given to integrated pest management, due to continuous problems generated by insects, diseases, and weeds. The competiveness of the soybean activity in NWA has allowed the consolidation of productive systems characterized by their low cost and high level of technology, although final economic results still rely on certain environmental and market factors.