Screening early soybean germplasm for yield and agronomic important traits

The objective of this study was screening of soybean germplasm with reference to yield and other agronomical important traits, as novel source of genetic variability in soybean breeding program. The focus is on early soybean germplasm as a potential genetic source for breeding in the light of global climate changes and to increase diversity of early varieties that can be grown as a second crop in Vojvodina province. The trial was conducted in 2018 year, established as row-column design, at experimental fields of Institute of filed and vegetable crops, Novi Sad. A 262 genotypes from three maturity groups (MG 000, MG 00, MG 0) were included in this research. Number of soybean genotypes per MG was 85, 93 and 84, respectively. Sowing was conducted in early April while harvesting start from July and lasting till September. The earliest genotype matures in 65 days, while the latest one mature after 125 days. This extremely early genotype can be very useful source in breeding program for earliness. It was identifying several genotypes with 1000 seed weight over 300 grams. This is good genetic source in breeding programs dedicating to food soybean and edamame production. Wide yield variability was observed, in the range 0.3-3.9 t/ha, indicating on potential source of useful germplasm for introducing in elite breeding program