Multivariate adaptability and stability of soya bean genotypes for abiotic stresses

Abstract

AbstractDrought stress, salinity and aluminium toxicity are considered the most critical abiotic factors limiting the growth of soya bean plants, accounting for the low yield of the crop in the Cerrado region. Our hypothesis is that soya bean cultivars have differential morphological responses to stressful environmental conditions. Thus, an experiment was carried out with the purpose of identifying and recommending soya bean genotypes that simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for morphological traits when subjected to stressful environmental conditions. Drought, saline and aluminium stresses were induced in seeds of 25 soya bean cultivars. Seed germination, and length and dry mass of the seedlings were measured. For each trait, adaptability and stability were evaluated by the Lin & Binns method and simultaneously considering all traits for the set of environments. There was significant GxE interaction for all traits evaluated. The genotypes 97R50 IPRO, BMX Bônus IPRO and 98R31 IPRO simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for all traits measured. These genotypes can be cultivated both under optimal and abiotic stress conditions, such as those investigated in this study. Additionally, they can be used as parents in crossing blocks aiming at obtaining genotypes resistant to drought, saline and aluminium toxicity stresses.