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Comparison of Three Procedures for Early Generation Testing of Soybean
Author(s) -
St. Martin Steven K.,
Geraldi Isaias O.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2002.7050
Subject(s) - biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , population , genetic gain , progeny testing , yield (engineering) , breeding program , microbiology and biotechnology , agronomy , statistics , mathematics , genetics , genetic variation , demography , cultivar , computer science , gene , machine learning , materials science , sociology , metallurgy
Early generation testing as a breeding procedure for autogamous crops consists of testing heterogeneous families, followed by selection of homozygous lines from superior families. Although early generation testing has been compared with other breeding methods, there have been few comparisons of different early generation testing procedures. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of testing F 1 ‐, F 2 ‐, and F 3 ‐derived families in soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. We applied the three procedures to two soybean populations from 1986 to 1993. Selected lines (F 3 ‐, F 4 ‐, and F 5 ‐derived, respectively) were obtained by applying each testing method to each population. Divided into maturity classes, these selected lines were compared with unselected lines of the same generation, population, and maturity to determine genetic gain. The three early generation treatments produced similar genetic gains in seed yield, averaging approximately 4%. Selection of F 1 ‐derived families for yield increased plant height and lodging, but the other two selection procedures were satisfactory in this respect. To maximize genetic gain for yield while avoiding undesirable changes in lodging in an early‐generation testing program, we recommend testing F 2 ‐derived families, unless off‐season nurseries permit development of F 3 ‐derived families without further loss of time.