Field of soybean cultivars at an ARS facility. US soybeans have a narrow genetic base, making them potentially vulnerable to disease or pest insects. Scientists are working to selectively expand the genetic base of US soybeans with heartier varieties. Individual plants on the left and in the center were derived from crossing the soybean cultivar Williams 82 with a wild soybean from the ARS Soybean Germplasm Collection. The wild soybean and the cultivar are native to Asia. Four rows of Williams 82 are growing on the right.