Development of High #3 Soybeans

The overall goal of this research project is to increase profitability of soybean production by developing a high ?-3 soybean line for higher value applications. This will be accomplished using a new rapid precision genetic non-GMO approach. The project objectives are: 1.Test soybean ?-3 desaturases in yeast. 2.Combine highest activity ?-3 desaturase with a soybean oil body oleosin promoter. 3.Insert this construct into soybeans & select highest ?-3 somatic embryos. 4.Grow out highest ?-3 soybeans. There is a ready market for high ?-3 oilseeds and extracted oils for direct food uses, for poultry and fish feed, for high ?-3 eggs and for renewable chemical purposes. This will provide new markets and improve demand for soybeans. This approach can readily be applied to highest yielding soybean cultivars.