Green Pod Yield and Architectural Traits of Selected Vegetable Soybean Genotypes

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to determine vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotype × environment interactions and to correlate the architectural traits and green pod yield and its components. Seventeen vegetable soybean genotypes from maturity groups IV, V, and VI were planted in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The architectural traits, green pod yield, and its components were determined at R5, R6, and R7 growth stages. The stage of harvest was considered as main plot and genotype as sub-plot. Significant (P < 0.05) harvesting stage effect was observed for the traits studied except for mainstem internode length. The genotypic effect was also highly significant (P < 0.01) for number of branches per plant, number of nodes per mainstem, number of pods per plant, mainstem height, 100 pod weight, and green-pod yield. Year × genotype × stage of harvest interactions were significant (P < 0.05) for the traits number of nodes per branch, mainstem height, and 100 pod weight. These interactions showed that the procedure for the selection of soybean genotypes with high green pod yield is influenced by year and stage of harvest. The results also showed that the two yield components, 100 pod weight, number of pods per plant, and one of the architectural traits, mainstem height, are more effective in selecting high green pod yield genotypes in vegetable soybean. Furthermore, this study indicated that PIs 416982 and 417288 (large-seeded types) and 423759 (a small-seeded type) could be source of genetic materials for increasing green pod yield through hybridization.