Yield, grain quality and morphological characteristics of new early maturing varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] from domestic breeding

Purpose. To carry out a comprehensive study and evaluation of new varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] of the early maturity group (vegetation period – 91–110 days) by morphological characteristics and the main economic indicators: yield, oil and protein content. Methods. Field stu­dies on the qualification examination of soybean varieties were carried out during 2022–2023 in ten branches of the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination (UIPVE) within the soil and climatic zones of the Steppe, Forest­Steppe and Polissia. The process was based on the existing methods of qualification examination of plant varieties for their suitability for distribution in Ukraine (VCU), determination of quality indicators of crop production and compliance of varieties with the criteria of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS). Results. The morphological characteristics, yield and grain quality of new early maturing varieties of Ukrainian breeding, included in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine, were evalua­ted. Namely: ‘Zlatopilska’, ‘Kobuko’, ‘AFC Tempo’, ‘AFC Fest’, ‘Hospodynia’ and ‘Sunrise’. The most productive varieties in all soil and climate zones were ‘AFC Tempo’ (Steppe – 3.25 t/ha, Forest­Steppe – 3.64, Polissia – 3.63 t/ha) and ‘Kobuko’ (Steppe – 3.03 t/ha, Forest­Steppe – 3.68, Polissia – 3.42 t/ha). At the same time, ‘Zlatopilska’, ‘Kobuko’, ‘AFC Tempo’, ‘AFC Fest’ and ‘Sunrise’ produced the highest yields in Forest­Steppe [from 2.89 t/ha (‘Zlatopilska’) to 3.68 t/ha (‘Kobuko’)] and ‘Hospodynia’ – in Polissia (2.83 t/ha). ‘Zlatopilska’ (38.4–40.3%) and ‘Sunrise’ (37.9–40.6%) had the highest protein content in the grain and ‘AFC Fest’ (23.3–24.3%) the highest oil content. Conclusions. According to the results of the qualification examination, varieties of soybean ‘Zlatopilska’, ‘Kobuko’ and ‘AFC Tempo’ are recommended for cultivation in all soil and climatic zones; ‘Sunrise’ – in the Steppe and Forest­Steppe; ‘Hospodynia’ – in the Steppe and Polissia; ‘AFC Fest’ – only in the Steppe. Seeds produced in the Forest­Steppe zone have the best quality indicators in terms of protein content, and in terms of oil content – in the Steppe zone. The studied varieties of soybeans meet the criteria of distinctness, uniformity and stability, as well as the requirements for suitability for distribution in Ukraine.