Genetic Analysis of Morpho-metric Traits and Correlations of Yield Parameters in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr)

Top crosses comprising 2 testers and 8 lines were made in the screen house using Line × Tester model. Observations were made on days to flowering, pod maturity, harvest, pods per plant, branching pattern, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and yield/ha; crude protein, crude fiber, carbohydrate, moisture, ash and oil, as well as trypsin, tannins and phytate. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance and the means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT), at 5% probability level. Genetic component analysis was carried out on the traits using Analysis of Genetic Design (AGD-R) package, to determine heritability, General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Abilities (SCA). Results of the study revealed that, positive GCA values were recorded by TGM954 (0.01), TGM120 (0.07), TGM553 (0.70), TGM555 (0.58), TGM574 (0.19), TGM584 (0.14) and TGX1904-6F (0.12) for 100 seed weight; TGM954 (76.83) and TGM584 (12.54) for seed yield. Generally, TGM954 was a better general combiner than TGM951, because it combined well with other varieties for yield and yield-related traits. High heritability estimates were recorded for 100 seed weight (84.10%), number of branches (86.61%), days to flowering (91.69%), pods per pod (88.48%) and seed yield (86.07%). It can be concluded, that, crosses using Line × Tester model is encouraged for trait transfer and enhancement of soybean seed yield.