Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Different Genotypes of Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Abstract

Genotypic variations of twenty eight soybean genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design during Rabi season, 2011 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. The phenotypic variance was higher than the corresponding genotypic variance for most of the characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for number of branches per plant, plant height, number of seeds per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight. This indicates the effectiveness of selection to improve these five characters. Plant height, pod length, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight, branches per plant, and number of seeds per pod showed significant positive correlation with seed yield. Based on inter genotypic distances F-85-11347, Australia, 86017-66-6, PK-327, MTD-452, Shohag, MTD-16, YESOY-4 are important for varietal improvement of soybean genotypes. Considering genetic variability, heritability and correlation analysis, emphasis should be given on traits during phenotypic selection and inter genotypic distances for genotypic selection for developing high yielding genotypes of soybean.