Heterosis and combining ability analysis for quality traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is “wonder crop” is richest, cheapest and easiest source of quality protein and oil quality. Heterosis and combining ability analysis were carried out in F1’s hybrids of 36 crosses derived from crossing of 12 soybean lines with 3 testers. Based on analysis of mean performance, heterosis and combining ability, the best soybean parents and crosses for quality traits were identified. For both seed oil and protein content, high heterosis and positive. Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects were recorded in crosses RKS 113 x SL 958, JS 20-98 x NRC 138 RVSM 2011-35 x JS 20-34 and AUKS 212 x JS 20-34 could be further exploited. These crosses involved geographically diverse parents and at least on parent of high General Combining Ability (GCA) effects in combination of high x high, high x average and high x low. Therefore, these crosses could throw transgressive segregants in still advance generations. Future, the results of present study suggested that heterosis coupled with high SCA effects might be considered as a criteria for selecting crosses for further improvement with respect to quality traits.