Adaptation of soybean to low latitudes using alleles for long juvenile period

The adaptation of soybean to low latitudes was driven by the use of alleles for the long juvenile period, allowing the successful cultivation of the crop in tropical and subtropical regions. Several cultivars were developed from crosses that incorporated these alleles, contributing to the expansion of soybeans in Brazil. Introductions were made from Mississippi developed by Edgar E. Hartwig, and from Florida developed by Kuel Hinson, both soybean breeders of the U.S.D.A. The modified backcrossing method was fundamental for the introduction of the alleles for the long juvenile period in these introductions. In this way, it was developed the Brazilian soybean germplasm, enabling the adaptation of the crop in regions with lower than 20º South Latitudes. The present work played a fundamental role in this adaptation process, carrying out studies on the inheritance of the juvenile period trait in soybeans. The results of these studies contributed significantly to the development of cultivars adapted to low latitudes and to the success of soybean in Brazil.