Evaluating Genetic Variation and Multi Trait Selection in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Genotypes for Enhanced Yield

Abstract

Aims: Present investigation was conducted to evaluate 42 soybean genotypes along with two commercial check varieties (JS 335 and Basara) for grain yield and attributing traits to identify best lines for yield and yield attributing trait, understanding of nature and magnitude of variability among the advanced lines and to know the association among the traits under study. Study Design: Randomized block design with 3 replications. Place and Duration of Study: Present study was conducted at research farm of Agricultural Research Station, Adilabad, PJTAU, Telangana, India for two seasons, kharif, 2023 and kharif, 2024. Methodology: 42 genotypes were evaluated against two checks and the data was recorded on days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, 100 seed weight (g) on five randomly selected plants on each genotype in all the three replicates using standard procedure (IBPGR 1984). Grain yield was recorded in kg on plot basis for each genotype in all replications. Then converted to kg /ha using conversion factor. The broad-sense heritability (h2BS), selection differential (SD), selection differential percentage (SD %) and selection gain in percentage (SG %) were calculated as per standard formula. Results: The genotype ADSb 146 (3023 kg/ha) produced the highest mean grain yield followed by ADSb 109 (2748 kg/ha) ADSb 45 (2613 kg/ha) and ADSb 94 (2478 kg/ha) compared to the best check variety, JS 335 (2338 kg/ha) across the seasons. The MGIDI was calculated to identify best genotypes when considering all measured traits. Based on MGIDI index, Basara, JS 335, ADSb 150 and ADSb 124 genotypes were selected as the best genotypes in both seasons. Through correlation, it was found that across the two seasons, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of pods per plant and number of clusters per plant was significantly and positively correlated with grain yield. Discussion: ADSb146, ADSb 109, ADSb 45 and ADSb 94 were found superior for yield across the seasons. Based on MGIDI index, Basara, JS 335, ADSb 150 and ADSb 124 genotypes were selected as the best genotypes. These genotypes were valuable resources for the direct release as varieties or for large-scale testing under AICRP trials.