Purdue University’s Department of Agronomy has acquired the KenAvis soybean germplasm collection from Purdue alumnus and soybean breeder Bob Taylor, giving researchers access to a rare pool of underutilized genetic diversity that could significantly improve soybean breeding, yield potential and specialty crop development.
The KenAvis collection contains soybean lines with at least 20 distinct traits that Purdue will use and license for research, breeding and the development of new soybean varieties. According to Purdue researchers, current soybean breeding programs are derived from a relatively narrow set of breeding lines and lack the level of diversity found in the KenAvis collection.
Among the collection’s most notable traits are four- and five-seeded pods, ultrashort internodes and terminal racemes containing more than 20 pods, characteristics that researchers believe could reshape future soybean breeding efforts.
Katy Rainey, professor of agronomy and director of the Purdue Soybean Center, said Purdue has the expertise needed to maximize the value of the collection across multiple sectors, including independent farmers, food-grade growers and the seed industry.
The Purdue Soybean Center will manage the collection and explore opportunities related to:
- New food-grade specialty soybean varieties with increased yield and protein content along with seed coloring suited for tofu and other soy-based foods.
- Novel genes for genetic mapping of unique traits, including multiple mechanisms for atypical seed formation such as five-seeded pods.
- A soybean breeding pool distinct from existing commercial germplasm that may serve as a source of additional desirable traits.
- Yield improvements through the introduction of novel germplasm into elite breeding lines.
Craig Anderson, CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, said the collection gives Purdue’s soybean program an opportunity to create a breeding pool that differs from most soybean germplasm currently available in the U.S. He added that researchers can build upon Taylor’s work using modern breeding technologies, genomics and advanced germplasm tools.
Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Purdue in 1960 and began his soybean breeding career in 1968. He worked with FFR Cooperative and later Stewart Seeds before the company was acquired by Monsanto. After his time at Stewart Seeds, Taylor retained 150 elite soybean lines and systematically crossed them with 40 diverse accessions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Plant Germplasm System.
Over a span of more than 38 years, Taylor carried out hundreds of cross-pollinations each growing season while selecting for at least 20 distinct yield traits within the KenAvis collection, which was named after his parents.
Taylor emphasized the importance of genetic diversity in soybean breeding and encouraged breeders to evaluate a wide range of plant characteristics rather than focusing solely on yield testing.
Seeking support for planting and preserving the germplasm, Taylor later connected with Rainey and Laura Bowling, professor and head of Purdue’s Department of Agronomy. In June 2025, Rainey planted portions of the soybean collection at Purdue’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education, where the unique characteristics quickly stood out in field trials.
Rainey noted that farmers and seed industry representatives who have visited the site have expressed strong enthusiasm about the collection’s potential.
Ag Alumni Seed, Purdue Agriculture’s primary partner for advancing and scaling improved germplasm for farmers, later became involved after Rainey invited Anderson to view the planting. Bowling then collaborated with Rainey and Anderson to secure the collection for research and licensing purposes.
The Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization supported the intellectual property assignment process, enabling Purdue to formally take possession of the germplasm collection.
Abhijit Karve, director of business development and licensing, said the office is optimistic about the potential for new inventions and traits emerging from the research and looks forward to supporting future commercialization opportunities tied to new soybean varieties and lines.
Purdue researchers believe the collaboration with Taylor will help deepen scientific understanding of soybean genetics while also making the collection’s distinctive traits accessible to soybean growers.
Ron Turco, associate dean for Agricultural Research and Graduate Education in Purdue’s College of Agriculture and professor of agronomy, said the KenAvis soybean germplasm represents a valuable genetic resource capable of supporting the development of soybean lines with improved agronomic performance, stress response and growth characteristics. He added that because the lines were developed under Midwestern growing conditions, they could ultimately contribute to improved yields for Indiana farmers.
KEY QUOTES:
“Purdue has the distinct expertise to maximize the return on this valuable collection for all sectors: independent farmers, food-grade growers and the seed industry.”
Katy Rainey, Professor Of Agronomy And Director, Purdue Soybean Center
“This collection really gives Purdue’s soybean program the opportunity to create a germplasm pool that is different from most of what’s available right now in the U.S. Researchers can take the work that Bob did and enhance it with modern breeding technologies, genomics and some of the other germplasm tools that exist today.”
Craig Anderson, CEO, Ag Alumni Seed
“You must have diversity. And one of the biggest factors in the use of the diversity is getting a breeder to look at all of the traits we examined, rather than just yield testing whatever they get.”
Bob Taylor, Soybean Breeder And Purdue Alumnus
“I’ve had farmers and seed industry people visit, and everyone who encounters it is excited about it.”
“I am honored that Bob Taylor has trusted Purdue Agronomy with the management of his legacy. The incredible diversity in this germplasm collection represents decades of effort and has the potential to transform currently available soybean varieties.”
Katy Rainey, Professor Of Agronomy And Director, Purdue Soybean Center
“OTC is excited about the potential for new inventions and traits emerging from this research. We look forward to supporting commercial opportunities as Rainey develops new and elite soybean varieties and lines.”
Abhijit Karve, Director Of Business Development And Licensing, Purdue Innovates Office Of Technology Commercialization
“The KenAvis soybean germplasm is an outstanding genetic resource that offers a variety of traits to support the development of new lines with improved agronomic performance, stress response and growth characteristics. The KenAvis lines were developed under Midwestern growing conditions and should ultimately lead to enhanced yields for the Indiana farm community.”
Ron Turco, Associate Dean For Agricultural Research And Graduate Education, Purdue College Of Agriculture
