Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) has developed the country’s first high drought-tolerant inbred soybean variety, branded ‘GAU Soybean 6’, marking the 94th crop variety released by the university.
The innovation was led by Department of Agronomy Professor Dr M A Mannan after nearly a decade of research involving evaluation of around 250 germplasm lines sourced from the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and South Korea, according to a press release issued on 25 February.
Following multi-year trials, germplasm ‘G00056’ was identified as drought tolerant. Field validation was later conducted in Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Bhola with support from Solidarity Network Asia. The National Seed Board approved the variety on November 11, 2025.
GAU Soybean 6 is designed to withstand severe drought conditions, surviving at 50 to 60 per cent field capacity while yielding between 3.2 and 3.8 tonnes per hectare. Each plant produces 80 to 100 pods, with bold seeds weighing about 230 grams per 1,000 seeds. The crop matures within 90 to 100 days, enabling earlier harvests and improved cropping cycles.
The variety contains 40 to 45 per cent protein and 18 to 20 per cent oil. Lower trypsin inhibitor content is expected to enhance protein absorption in poultry feed, offering potential benefits to the poultry industry.
Professor Dr M A Mannan said the variety was the result of years of research and field trials and could offer greater stability for soybean cultivation in drought-prone coastal char areas.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman described the development as a milestone for the country’s agriculture and said it could support food security and sustainable farming systems.
Gazipur Agricultural University previously developed five high-yielding soybean varieties tolerant to salinity and waterlogging, positioning its research team in climate-resilient crop innovation.
