Proximate Characterization and Interactions among Improved Soybean Genotypes for Nutritional Improvement

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is a self-pollinated short-duration legume crop valued for its high protein and oil content, playing a pivotal role in food, feed, and industrial sectors. In India, its cultivation has expanded rapidly; however nutritional improvement remains a key breeding objective. This study aimed to evaluate the proximate composition viz. protein, oil, and ash of 55 improved soybean genotypes including 5 checks to identify superior lines for nutritional breeding. Field trials were conducted in RCBD design with three replications during Kharif 2024 at JNKVV, Jabalpur. Biochemical traits were quantified using standard AOAC methods, and statistical analyses were performed in R using ggplot2 and pheatmap for visualization. Results revealed substantial genetic variation. Protein ranged from 35.38% to 42.08%, oil from 17.60% to 22.55%, and ash from 3.28% to 7.96%. Genotypes such as JS 25-55 and JS 25-52 exhibited superior protein content, while NRC 190 and AMS 269 showed elevated oil levels. JS 21-72 and JS 25-01 recorded the highest ash content. Weak and non-significant correlations among traits; between protein and oil(r = -0.052, p value- 0.53); protein and ash (r = +0.12, p = 0.37); ash and oil (r = −0.09, p = 0.52). Genotype-labeled scatter plots and clustering analysis identified outliers and multi-trait donors, strengthening the potential for targeted nutritional enhancement. The study highlights JS 25-55 as a protein-rich donor and NRC 190 as an oil-rich candidate for divergent breeding. The independence of traits supports flexible selection strategies. These findings offer actionable insights for soybean improvement programs focused on nutritional quality, industrial value, and sustainable cultivation.