Registration of 'S16-15170C' soybean: A high-yielding indeterminate maturity group V cultivar with wide adaptability and multiple disease resistance

With the rise of novel specialty markets and changes in consumers' preferences, the demand for high-yielding, non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars has been steadily increasing over the last decade. Interest from growers in non-GM soybean cultivars has also increased because they may benefit from premium prices, reduced seed costs, and flexible farming systems. To meet this growing demand, the University of Missouri-Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center soybean breeding team has developed and released 'S16-15170C' (Reg. no. CV-550, PI 699900), a high-yielding conventional soybean cultivar with multiple disease resistance and broad adaptation to the Southern states. S16-15170C has an indeterminate growth habit and white flowers, gray pubescence, and tan pod wall color. This soybean cultivar has been extensively tested across 12 states from 2017 to 2020 and has outyielded commercial checks in 48 out of 78 environments, with the average yield being 102.7% of checks overall. S16-15170C is resistant to soybean cyst nematode, stem canker, frogeye leaf spot, sudden death syndrome, brown stem rot, and phytophthora root rot. The combination of high yielding potential, broad adaptability, and multiple disease resistance in a non-GM genetic background makes S16-15170C a suitable soybean cultivar choice for growers adopting an alternative farming system and maximizing potential returns during the season.