Registration of LG04-6863 soybean germplasm line with diverse pedigree

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line LG04-6863 (Reg. No. GP-364, PI 658307) was developed and released by the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Delta Center, Portageville, MO, the USDA-ARS, and the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, Urbana, IL. It was approved for release May 2009. LG04-6863 is an F₅ plant selection composited in the F₆ generation from 'Rend' × LG97-9486. It has shown high yield potential in tests across the southern United States with 38% of its pedigree from plant introductions and unique diversity not known in soybeans adapted to southern U.S. environments. LG04-6863 (relative maturity 4.4) has yielded, 101, 100, and 97% of yields of 'Asgrow AG4403' (3193, 4047, and 3833 kg ha^-1), a widely grown Roundup Ready cultivar of similar maturity, across eight locations in the USDA Uniform Preliminary Early Group IV Test-Southern States; eight locations in the United Soybean Board Southern Early Group IV Diversity Trials; and 15 southeastern Missouri tests, respectively. It is resistant to stem canker and bacterial pustule. Reaction to phytophthora root rot (PRR; caused by Phytophthora sojae M.J. Kaufmann & J.W. Gerdemann) is unknown, but LG04-6863 has shown good performance on heavy clay soils where PRR often occurs. Soybean introductions have been under utilized in breeding programs. LG04-6863 will have use as an elite parent in soybean breeding programs to improve yield and broaden the germplasm base.