RESEARCH N early 20% of the world's cultivated area is aff ected by salinity (Sairam and Tyagi, 2004). Salinity is caused by rock weathering, wind-transported materials, poor-quality irrigation water, and seawater intrusion onto land. The total saline area of North, Central, and South America is 15.8, 2.0, and 129.0 million ha, respectively (Rengasamy, 2006). Overall health of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants and seed yield are aff ected by saline conditions. The threshold salinity for soybean is 5.0 dS m-1 (Chinnusamy et al., 2005). Salt damage in soybean results from the accumulation of chloride in stems and leaves, which causes leaf necrosis; reduces greenness in leaves, plant biomass, plant height, leafl et size, seed yield, seed quality, and fi eld seed emergence; and increases plant mortality (Able and MacKenzie, 1964;

The confirmation of a major locus associated with salt tolerance and mapping of a new locus, which could be beneficial for improving salt tolerance in soybean. Breeding soybean for tolerance to high salt conditions is important in some regions of the USA and world. Soybean cultivar Fiskeby III (PI 438471) in maturity group 000 has been reported to be highly tolerant to multiple abiotic stress conditions, including salinity. In this study, a mapping population of 132 F families derived from a cross of cultivar Williams 82 (PI 518671, moderately salt sensitive) and Fiskeby III (salt tolerant) was analyzed to map salt tolerance genes. The evaluation for salt tolerance was performed by analyzing leaf scorch score (LSS), chlorophyll content ratio (CCR), leaf sodium content (LSC), and leaf chloride content (LCC) after treatment with 120 mM NaCl under greenhouse conditions. Genotypic data for the F population were obtained using the SoySNP6K Illumina Infinium BeadChip assay. A major allele from Fiskeby III was significantly associated with LSS, CCR, LSC, and LCC on chromosome (Chr.) 03 with LOD scores of 19.1, 11.0, 7.7 and 25.6, respectively. In addition, a second locus associated with salt tolerance for LSC was detected and mapped on Chr. 13 with an LOD score of 4.6 and an R of 0.115. Three gene-based polymorphic molecular markers (Salt-20, Salt14056 and Salt11655) on Chr.03 showed a strong predictive association with phenotypic salt tolerance in the present mapping population. These molecular markers will be useful for marker-assisted selection to improve salt tolerance in soybean.

S11-20124C' (Reg. No. CV-532, PI 689118) is a high-yielding semi-determinate early maturity group V (5.1) conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar developed and released in 2017 by the University of Missouri-Fisher Delta Research Center Soybean Breeding program. It was developed through conventional breeding from a cross between 'S05-11482' × 'S06-4649RR'. The development of high-yielding conventional soybean became advantageous due to premium prices ofered for non-genetically modiied soybean products, as well as lower seed costs compared with herbicidetolerant cultivars. Additionally, early maturity group V (5.1) soybeans are highly desirable for early planting and after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in double cropping systems. S11-20124C was evaluated in 113 environments from 2012 to 2016 in Missouri and other southern states. It is demonstrated to be well adapted through its consistent superior or equivalent performance to the commercial checks with similar maturity. S11-20124C has a wide disease resistance package, including moderate resistance to soybean cyst nematode races 1, 2, 3, 5, and 14 (HG Type 2.5.7, Type 1.2.5.7, Type 7, Type 2.5.7, Type 1.3.6.7 respectively) and resistance to southern root-knot nematode and reniform nematode . Seed averages 416 g kg −1 protein and 245 g kg −1 oil. High yield potential, resistance to multiple diseases, and broad adaptation make S11-20124C a good choice for soybean growers across US southern states.

High demand for early‐maturing conventional (non‐genetically modified [GMO]) high‐oil soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars in the food and special niche markets led to the development and release of ‘S13‐2743C’ (Reg. no. CV‐538, PI 695097). It is a tall, early maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.1) non‐GMO soybean developed and released by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center soybean breeding program. This early maturing, indeterminate type cultivar is desired by growers in the southern United States to plant along with later maturity groups to allow flexibility during the harvest season. S13‐2743C has high oil content (238.4 g kg−1) and a broad disease resistance package, including resistance to soybean cyst nematode race 3, phytophthora root rot, stem canker, sudden death syndrome, and frogeye leaf spot. It has white flowers, grey pubescence, and brown pod walls. Seeds have buff hila and intermediate luster. S13‐2743C was tested in 103 environments across eight states and showed high yield potential in Missouri and other southern states, including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

PI 698653) is an early maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.4) conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.

The conventional Maturity Group V soybean [Glycine max (L). Merr.] cultivar ‘S13‐1955C’ (Reg. no. CV‐540, PI 695317) was developed and released by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center soybean breeding program in 2019. Plants of S13‐1955C have determinate growth habit, white flowers, tawny pubescence, tan pod wall, and seed with black hilum. It has high oil content (227.4 g kg−1) and broad disease resistance including soybean cyst nematode, southern root‐knot nematode, reniform nematode, sudden death syndrome, and frogeye leaf spot. S13‐1955C was tested in 177 environments across 13 states and averaged 101% of the check yield in Missouri and the southern states from 2014 to 2019.

S14‐15146GT (Reg. no. CV‐534, PI 691841) is a late‐maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.6) indeterminate glyphosate‐tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar developed and released by the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center Soybean Breeding program. High global demand for soybean oil and US southern growers’ preference for taller soybean plants with early maturity led to the release of this cultivar. S14‐15146GT was evaluated in 130 environments across 10 states and showed high yield potential and wide adaptation in Missouri and other southern states. It is resistant to Phytophthora root rot, stem canker, sudden death syndrome, frogeye leaf spot, and charcoal rot. S14‐15146GT has white flowers, tawny pubescence, and tan pod walls. Seeds of S14‐15146GT have black hilum, yellow cotyledon, and intermediate luster. S14‐15146 GT seed averages 235.5 and 390.8 g kg−1 oil and protein content, respectively. The early maturity with the first‐generation Roundup Ready trait, high yield potential, high oil content, broad disease resistance package, and wide adaptation make S14‐15146GT an excellent choice for southern growers.

S14-15138GT' (Reg. no. CV-537, PI 693754) is a late maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.8) indeterminate high-yielding soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] cultivar with glyphosate and sulfonylurea tolerance developed and released in 2017 by the University of Missouri-Fisher Delta Research Center soybean breeding program. S14-15138GT is an F 4 plant selection from the cross 'S09-10871' × 'S08-9727RR1'. S14-15138GT was tested in 83 environments across 11 states and showed high yield potential and wide adaptation in Missouri and other southern states. In the University of Missouri yield trials, S14-15138GT yielded, on average, 110% of the tests mean across 19 locations in 4 yr (2015-2018). Plants of S14-15138GT are 84 cm tall and have white flower color, tawny pubescence, and tan pod walls. On average, S14-15138GT seed contains 406 g kg −1 protein and 221 g kg −1 oil on a dry seed weight basis. S14-15138GT has a broad disease resistance package including resistance to soybean cyst nematode races 3 and 14 (HG Type 5.7 and Type 1.3.6.7), stem canker, frogeye leaf spot, sudden death syndrome, and phomopsis seed decay. In addition to its high yield potential, strong disease resistance package, and broad adaptation, S14-15138GT is a suitable alternative for farmers who want to grow and save seed of glyphosate-tolerant soybean cultivars.