Genetic variability for phenological and yield contributing traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out with 711 soybean genotypes to assess the genetic variability for phenological and yield contributing traits. A large genetic variation for was observed among the genotypes for phenological, yield contributing traits and pod borer tolerance. Variance analysis found that all the traits differed significantly for different source of variations. Except days to maturity, all the traits studied exhibited moderate to high heritability and genetic advance. This suggests that the selection based on these traits would be useful in improving the grain yield. Days to first flowering showed significant positive association with days to 50% flowering, pod initiation, days to maturity, plant height, no. of pods per plant and seed yield. Further, association analysis revealed that the incidence of pod borer significantly reduced seed yield. Principal component analysis revealed that phenological traits viz., days to 50% flowering, pod initiation and days to maturity were closely associated and were the main contributors in PC1. Path analysis revealed plant height and no. of pods per plant has highest direct influence to seed yield.