Characterization of Genetic and Agromorphological Variation in 30 Soybean (Glycine max) Accessions in Northern and Southern Benin.

Abstract

Soybean is a highly nutritious and versatile food that is of great importance in world trade. It is a cash crop for farmers in Benin, grown almost everywhere. However, soybean production faces several challenges, including low yields and disruptions due to weather conditions. Improving soybean production could enhance food security for the population and increase farmers' incomes. A study was conducted to assess the genetic and agromorphological variability of 30 soybean accessions. The study was carried out in a three-repeat alpha lattice design at two different sites in the South of Benin (E1) and North (E2). Qualitative and quantitative traits were collected during the experiments. The qualitative characteristics showed great variability, except for cotyledon color and the presence of pubescence and petiole. The results also showed that Accessions TGm-1199, TGX 1910-14, and TGm-1588 had the best yields in E1, whereas TGX 1951-3F, TGX 1910-14F, and TGm-1253 were found with the highest yields in E2. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits, and heritability in the broad sense ranged from 20% to 100%. The genetic parameters showed that selection programs can be effective for days to flowering, plant height, hundred-seed weight, seed thickness, seed length and width, days to harvest, pod length and width, and grain yield. The high genetic variability observed within soybean accessions indicates that genotypes could be selected and used as a crop improvement tool.