Assessment of Genetic Variability in Soybean Germplasm for Yield and Yield Related Traits

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the extent of genetic variability, estimate heritability and determine the potential for genetic advancement in soybean yield and its contributing traits. Study Design: The study was conducted using an augmented design with three checks repeated across eight blocks. Place and Duration of Study: In Rabi 2024, the experiment was carried out at the Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station in Kathalagere. Methodology: A set of nine traits was assessed, including days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, branch count per plant, pod count per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per hectare. These traits were assessed across 112 soybean germplasm lines along with three checks. Analysis included the estimation of analysis of variance, phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV), heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of mean (GAM). Data collection and statistical analyses were performed using R software. Results: The ANOVA results indicated significant variability among the germplasm lines for every trait examined. Characteristics like branches per plant, pods per plant, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per hectare showed high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, as well as high heritability paired with substantial genetic advance expressed as a percentage of the mean. GCV and PCV values ranged from 6.92% to 31.44% and 8.28% to 33.12% respectively. Heritability estimates ranged from 47.42% to 95.77%, with genetic advance as percentage of mean ranging from 11.95% to 54.96%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that breeding efforts aimed at enhancing yield should place greater emphasis on traits such as the number of branches, pods per plant, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per hectare.