b'WHY DID THIS, DO THAT?David Lees curiosity led to him to help create some of the most game-changing soybean varieties around. Its why hes won the 2024 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award.Marc ZienkiewiczSYNGENTA CANADAS David Lee is a maverick in the soybean breeding realm, challenging the conventional beliefs about what the crop is capable of. Its why hes the recipient of the 2024 Plant Breeding & Genetics Award, sponsored by Seed World Canada and Seeds Canada. Lee, 59, began rewriting the rules of soybean breed-ing beginning with his roots growing up on a farm near Woodstock, Ont., where he first gained an appreciation for farmingeventually leading to his academic pursuits at the University of Guelph. Initially drawn towards the boardroom, Lees beat shifted during summer internships at Ciba-Geigy Canada (which went on to become part of Novartis), igniting his fascination with the research realm. Im a curious person; I like to find out, Why did this, do that? So thats where I got my start," he says.From Plots to PatentsDuring his 31 years at Syngenta Canada and legacy companies, Lee has worked in, and subsequently led, the soybean breed-ing program in Eastern Canada. His work has contributed to the registration of over 200 soybean varieties, more than 50 of which are identity preserved.Lees career took shape as he transitioned from plots to patents, joining the soybean breeding program at NK Seeds, which would become part of Syngenta and where hed begin working on valuable soybean cultivars that would usher in a new era for the crop in Canada. He collaborated closely with mentor Don McClure, creat- Syngenta Canadas David Lee is the recipient of the Plant Breeding and ing the S03-W4 soybean variety (see our Seed of the Year storyGenetics Award for 2024. Photo by Jesse Gibb/sohostudios.caon the preceding page for more on Lee and McClures work together). S03-W4 would go on to sell three million bags and be the longest-running soybean on the market with a quarter- Syngentas Trait Introgression Facilities in Illinois accelerate century of marketability. research through crosses with additional traits. The key feature Lee has been granted Plant Breeders Rights for nearly aof this facility is that it operates indoors, allowing year-round dozen identity-preserved soybean varieties. In 2019, he wasresearch and development. Its been key to his success.awarded the top-selling volume variety for S03-W4. The sameThis constant access to controlled environments enables the year, he was awarded the highest market share variety withinresearch team to expedite the breeding process and ensures that Syngenta North America for the S007-Y4 soybean. they can work on these specific materials regardless of external seasonal variations, he says.The Artistry of Soybean Breeding Its not a solo venture for me; I rely on the contributions At the heart of Lees workhe has 90 filed or granted soybeanof many capable people. In the United States, we have some patents in Canada and the United Stateslies innovation. younger team members who excel in the latest data analy-22GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024'