The long-term goal of this project is to characterize the impact of local environment on soybean development and performance in Kentucky. Environmental conditions affect soybean performance in term of yield and seed quality. In this project, we propose to monitor environmental conditions during the soybean growing season at each of the soybean variety performance test site. Growth and reproductive stages in randomly selected soybean varieties will be monitored closely. These sets of data will be collected from soybean production farms as well as research experimental farms, with a total of 8 independent locations in all major soybean production areas in Kentucky. The data generated in this project will be used to build an online open access database. This database will constitute an unbiased and open access source of information for soybean producers, researchers, and seed breeders. This comprehensive database can be used to develop predictive models for soybean yield, seed quality and economics in Kentucky based on the environmental conditions for each production system and will provide inputs for breeders to develop varieties better adapted to Kentucky environments.

1) Provide timely, unbiased and independent information to soybean growers in Kentucky to help in selecting the best varieties for their production systems. The Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Trials are conducted to provide an unbiased and objective estimate of the relative performance of soybean varieties commercially available in Kentucky. The yield and seed quality are evaluated by testing the varieties genetics in its whole. Cultivars in the trials are commercially available and entered by soybean growers, commercial companies, state and federal institutions. The information provided by the trials aids Kentucky soybean producers with selecting varieties that will give the highest total production for their production systems.
2) Monitor environmental conditions affecting directly soybean yield and seed quality. Kentucky lies within three major physiographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau, the Interior Lowlands, and the Coastal Plain. Within the state, six smaller regions may be identified, based on their underlying rock structures: Mountain, Knobs, Bluegrass, Pennyrile, Western Coalfield, and Purchase. Geological and drainage differences caused different terrain and soil conditions to develop over millions of years, creating differing capabilities for today's agriculture. Most of soybean production today is centered in western Kentucky, with a gradual expansion toward central and eastern Kentucky. Most of soybean production in Kentucky is rainfed. In addition to soil differences, soybean production areas experience different temperatures and rain amounts over the course of each soybean growing season. Collecting detailed environmental data will allow soybean producers to compare the environments of their own agronomic systems to those in which the soybean variety performance tests are conducted.
3) Promote the development of a digital database to facilitate open data access to soybean producers and scientists investigating soybean performance in Kentucky. The objective of the digital database is to develop a tool to provide an easy and timely access to information relevant to soybean performance in Kentucky.
4) Improve the long-term sustainability of the Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests program. The technician position provides essential support for timely agricultural management of the soybean trials, data collection, equipment maintenance and repair. The financial support requested in this proposal will help increase the number of test sites, update and maintain equipment, provide better data, and support independent research projects

1. Timely release of the Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests bulletin in late November/early December. The objective of the program is to provide this publication at a time when soybean producers in Kentucky need independent resources to help them selecting the best soybean varieties for their production systems.
2. Improve usage of the University of Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests program resources.
3. Long-term outcomes: The development of an open access database will facilitate access to information relevant to soybean producers, such as yield, herbicide and disease resistance traits, and seed quality. The database will also be used to develop soybean predictive models for yield and/or seed quality for soybean in Kentucky using environmental information collected during the growing season.
4. The database can help develop new varieties that are adapted to KY environmental conditions. The database can also be used to develop better management recommendations for soybean production

Soybean is an important crop in Kentucky agricultural production. Good soybean variety selection is essential to maximize profitability. Each year new soybean varieties enter the market. New genetic technologies and seed treatments are available every year. This means that variety selection decisions must be made every year. Yield is only one of the many factors to consider in selecting a variety for a production system. Seed composition, oil and protein content, date of maturity, plant height, lodging resistance, pest management, availability of time and equipment, weed and pest control costs, and farm economic management should be considered as well.
Since 1956, the Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Trials (KY SVPT) have been conducted yearly to provide an unbiased and objective estimate of the relative performance of commercial soybean varieties in Kentucky. Every year new technologies and varieties available to soybean producers in Kentucky are evaluated in the trials. Conventional, organic, and genetically engineered soybean varieties are accepted in the trials. The varieties are exposed to multiple environments. Soybean performance, as defined by yield and seed quality, is evaluated at harvest. Performance of soybean varieties varies from year to year, and from site to site, depending on genetic adaptability, weather conditions, and management practices. The information provided by the soybean variety trials may be used by growers and seed producers to aid in selecting the best varieties for their specific production system.

The objectives of the project were: 1) to provide timely, unbiased and independent information to soybean growers in Kentucky for selecting the best commercial varieties for their production systems, 2) to collect environmental data relevant to soybean performance, and 3) to implement open access digital databases.

In 2020, the trials were planted in from May 12th to June 15th, 2020 at 9 test sites. Agronomic management was conducted per the University of Kentucky current recommendations based on scouting for weed and pest every other week over the course of the growing season. Variety development, maturity, and environmental conditions were monitored every other week from June to September 2020, at each of the test sites. Combine, truck, trailer, field PC, seed sample collection & storage were prepared for harvest in early September. 2020 harvest started on September 23rd. Seed samples from all 154 varieties in the trials were collected at 3 of the test sites, for NIR whole seed quality analysis for seed composition and oil and protein content. The yield results were analyzed and released by late-November online on the University of Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Trials Website (http://pss.ca.uky.edu/extension/soybean-variety-trials).
The 2020 Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests report (which included the seed quality data) was published in early December for distribution with the University of Kentucky Extension Offices across the state as the Progress Report PR-794, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Communication Services. The report can also be downloaded from the program website in its electronic format. Seed treatment at planting, herbicide technology traits, disease resistance/tolerance traits, maturity, plant height, lodging, and disease/pest observations and weather summaries for all test sites were provided in the report.
In 2021, 8 new sites were selected in January and February, while 147 varieties were entered in the trials. Seed packaging and planting preparation were conducted from January to April. Pre-plant herbicides were applied at all test sites. Soil samples were collected to test soil fertility and pH, and for the presence of soybean cyst nematodes. Planting was conducted from April 23rd to May 22nd, as Kentucky experienced below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall in April. Agronomic management and disease/pests scouting are performed every other week. 11 randomly selected varieties in the relative maturity groups 2 to 5 are closely monitored at all sites for vegetative and reproductive development. Environmental data are recorded and analyzed every other week. Preparation for the 2021 harvest is underway and harvest is anticipated to start mid-September 2021.
Starting July 31st, 2020, variety testing coordinators in Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia, started the implementation of the Mid-South soybean variety testing database that will allow soybean producers to access yield, quality, and phenotypic information based on regional selection criteria that cross state lines. The United Soybean Board will host the database.
The yield, seed quality, phenotype and environmental data collected in Kentucky are currently curated for the development of the Kentucky Soybean Phenomics database. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment will host the database.
The project supports the technical position with the KY soybean variety performance trials program. The technician provides essential support with laboratory and field work, equipment maintenance, transportation, and operation.
The PI greatly appreciates the support from the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board. It improves the program long-term ability to increase the test site number, update and maintain equipment, provide independent data, and support research projects.

An important step in profitable soybean production is selecting good quality seed of the best varieties for each management system. The KY soybean variety performance trials are conducted to provide unbiased and objective estimate of the relative performance of soybean varieties grown on Kentucky. The information is released in a form of a progress report, available online on the program website (http://pss.ca.uky.edu/extension/soybean-varietytrials) or as printed copies at the University of Kentucky County Extension offices, after harvest.
The information provided in the bulletin intends to help soybean producers to select the best varieties for their production systems. It can also be used by seed producers, seed breeders, and researchers to develop varieties best adapted to Kentucky. The KY Soybean Variety Performance Trials program also helps producers stay up-to-date with the newest
biotechnology traits as the program accepts all varieties approved for sale in Kentucky. The bulletin provides information on yield, seed oil and protein composition at harvest, genetic and disease resistance traits, seed treatments, maturity dates, plant height and lodging. Growers can use this information to select varieties that meet the agronomic requirements of their farms. The yearly report also contains references to Kentucky soybean production guides, including pest and weed management guides.

This project will also promote the development of an online, open access database. An online database will facilitate access to comprehensive information relative to soybean yield and seed quality production in Kentucky. Access to environmental information for each test site will allow soybean producers to compare the trials with their own production systems. Since 2013, the program has also supported independent and applied research projects supported by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board. These projects are highly relevant to soybean production in Kentucky. The program will continue to do so.