Assessment of agronomic and yield-related traits of Pyt genotypes of Soybean

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L. merr) is an important leguminous crop for food and feed security globally and in Uganda. The Makerere University Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID) develops soybean varieties with main objectives which include that the varieties developed are high-yielding with medium maturity of less than 120 days and also resistant to diseases with a focus on soybean rust. This study was conducted to assess the agronomic and yield-related traits of the sixteen genotypes at the Preliminary Yield Trial stage of the breeding programme. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates was used as the experimental layout at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo. Analysis of variance was done to determine which traits varied significantly among the genotypes and correlation and path coefficient analysis were conducted to provide an understanding of the relationships between the traits and most specially to determine the effect of the traits on seed yield. The study found significant differences among the PYT genotypes for the trait’s days to 50% flowering, days from flowering to maturity, days to maturity, internode length, hundred-seed weight, resistance to soybean rust and seed yield. The seed yield was positively correlated to hundred-seed weight, pods per plant, seeds per pod, internode length, average plant height, and nodes per plant. Rust score was negatively correlated with seed yield. The key determinants of seed yield were number of pods per plant, hundred-seed weight, and resistance to soybean rust therefore these traits should be the focus of the breeding programme.