Genetic Variability and Association Studies in New Soybean Germplasm Accessions

Abstract

A total of 47 new soybean accessions collected were sown during kharif 2014 to evaluate and conserve in the NAGS. The ANOVA indicated significant and wide variability for the traits studied except for the primary branches and seeds per pod. To examine breeding utilities, few genetic parameters were studied for the new accessions. Except, few traits like number of seeds per pod all other traits exhibited wide range of variations. This was substantiated by the fact that seed yield per plant, number of nodes per plant, pods per plant, days to flowering and hundred seed weight showed highest PCV and GCV indicating presence of extensive variability rendering selection effective. The number of primary branches, pods per plant, seeds per pod and hundred seed weight showed positive and significant correlation with yield. The path analysis studies revealed that pods per plant and 100 seed weight were important yield components with high direct effects on improvement for seed yield.