Effect of genotype and environment interaction on oil and protein content of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seed

Abstract

This study investigated the crude oil and protein contents of soybean cultivated in different environments in the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey. Field experiments were conducted at 8 sites (Erbaa, Turhal, Carsamba, Bafra, Gokhoyuk, Suluova, Kabali, Boyabat) with differing environments during two years; the study used a randomized complete blocks design with three replications and eight soybean cultivars (Flint, Apollo, Savoy, Amsoy 71, Macon, Ap2292, SA88, A3127). The effects of the genotype, environment and their interactions on crude oil and protein content of soybean see-ds were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Among the genotypes, Savoy had the highest protein content (33.98%) and SA88 had the highest oil content (21.80%). Whereas among the environments, the highest oil content (22.04%) and the highest protein content (35.26%) were found at Suluova and Gokhoyuk environments, respectively. In terms of genotype × environment interaction, the highest protein content was determined at Gokhoyuk environment with Ap2292 genotype (38.57%), and the lowest at Turhal environment with Flint genotype (29.25%). The two highest oil contents were obtained from Flint and SA88 genotypes at the Bafra environment, while the lowest was determined in the A3127 genotype (18.28%) at the Turhal environment. Correlation analysis showed a very important negative correlation between oil and protein content (r 2 =-0.557**) in terms of genotype × environment interaction. Key words: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), genotype, environment, protein, oil content.