Genetic parameters and selection strategies for soybean progenies aiming at precocity and grain productivity

ABSTRACT Genetic parameters and correlations are useful tools in breeding programs, helping to make decisions about the most efficient method of selecting soybean progenies. The objective was to determine genetic parameters and correlations between characters in 52 soybean genotypes, from 4 populations and to select the superior progenies for early cycle and grain productivity. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design consisting of 52 RCF3:4 progenies and three controls (UFUS7010, TMG801, BRSGO7560). Agronomic and yield traits were evaluated. For the number of days to flowering and maturity, plant height at maturity and number of nodes at maturity, a high heritability estimate and favorable conditions for selection were observed. The existence of correlations between the characters was verified with the predominance of genetic causes, which allows the success in the indirect selection. By the Mulamba and Mock method, the highest selection gain was obtained, however, for the genotype-ideotype distance index method, greater gains were obtained for production components, therefore, 15 early cycle and productive superior RCF3:4 progenies were selected with a cycle between 79.0 and 105.0 days and production of 302.5 to 463.0 g plot-¹.