Browsing by Author "Singer, William Monte"

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    Integrating Genomic and Phenomic Breeding Selection Tools with Field Practices to Improve Seed Composition Quality Traits in Soybean
    Singer, William Monte (Virginia Tech, 2021-11-30)
    Despite soybean's widespread recognition as a versatile and valuable crop due to many end-use purposes, breeders seek to develop varieties with improved nutritional and functional components that capture added-value for producers. Additionally, producers seek to maximize profits by utilizing field practices to augment crop value. Therefore, this dissertation had two main objectives of maximizing soybean value: 1) to evaluate accelerated selection methods by soybean breeders for methionine content and test weight, and 2) to identify sulfur fertilization impact on soybean seed composition including amino and fatty acid profiles. First, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyzed genomic influence on proteinogenic methionine in soybean seeds which identified 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Utilizing a SNPs subset identified by GWAS, genomic selection (GS) exhibited average prediction accuracies ranging from 0.41-0.62. Secondly, a novel phenomic selection (PS) method using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated for predictive ability of soybean test weight. PS cross-validations exhibited average predictive accuracies of 0.75, 0.59, and 0.16 when incorporating all environments, between locations, and between years, respectively. Finally, sulfur fertilizer rates and sources were assessed across two years and six locations in relation to seed composition. Notably, ammonium sulfate (AMS) was found to have a significant impact (P < 0.05) on methionine content in soybean seed. These outcomes will have positive impacts on plant breeding and soybean production for seed composition and quality traits using contemporary breeding and fertilization.
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    Soybean Amino Acids in Health, Genetics, and Evaluation
    Singer, William Monte; Zhang, Bo; Mian, M. A. Rouf; Huan, Haibo (IntechOpen, 2019)
    Soybean is an important source of protein and amino acids for humans and livestock because of its well-balanced amino acid profile. This chapter outlines the strengths and weaknesses of soybean as a complete amino acid source as well as the relative importance of individual amino acids. Special attention is paid to the sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. Breeding and genetic engineering efforts are summarized to highlight previous accomplishments in amino acid improvement and potential avenues for future research. Agronomic properties and processing methods that affect amino acid levels in soybean food and feed are also explained. A brief introduction into current amino acid evaluation techniques is provided. By understanding the complexities of amino acids in soybean, protein quality for humans and liv estock can be maximized.
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    Soybean Production, Versatility, and Improvement
    Shea, Zachary; Singer, William Monte; Zhang, Bo (IntechOpen, 2020)
    Soybean is one of the most widely planted and used legumes in the world due to its valuable seed composition. The many significant agronomic practices that are utilized in soybean production are highlighted with an emphasis on those used during the pregrowing season and growing season. The various pests of soybeans and the pest management strategies used to control them are described with special attention to insects, weeds, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. The multitude of soybean uses for livestock and human consumption, and its industrial uses are discussed in this chapter. Additionally, the conventional breeding and genetic engineering attempts to improve soybean protein, oil, and sucrose content as well as eliminate the antinutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors, raffinose, stachyose, and phytate, are examined. In this chapter, the various management practices, uses, and breeding efforts of soybean will be discussed.