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Elite Performance for Grain Yield from Unadapted Exotic Soybean Germplasm in Three Cycles of a Recurrent Selection Experiment
Author(s) -
Posadas Luis G.,
Eskridge Kent M.,
Specht James E.,
Graef George L.
Publication year - 2014
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/cropsci2014.01.0090
Subject(s) - germplasm , biology , randomized block design , cultivar , grain yield , population , selection (genetic algorithm) , agronomy , yield (engineering) , horticulture , microbiology and biotechnology , demography , sociology , materials science , artificial intelligence , computer science , metallurgy
Soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm collections remain largely unexploited for complex quantitative traits such as grain yield. A long‐term recurrent selection (RS) program was developed to improve soybean grain yield in a population designated UP2Y, developed from seven unimproved plant introductions selected on their high seed protein concentration and diverse geographical origin. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of S 3 –derived line RS for increased grain yield on major agronomic traits of the UP2Y population. Response to selection was measured by evaluating the 10 highest‐yielding lines selected at the end of each of three RS cycles along with the seven founders and three check cultivars in three replications of a randomized complete block design in eight environments. After three cycles of RS, grain yield increased significantly ( P < 0.001) from a mean of 3070 kg ha −1 for Cycle 0 (C0) to a mean of 5037 kg ha −1 for Cycle 3 (C3) with an average significant ( P < 0.001) gain of 567 kg ha −1 cycle −1 . Mean maturity and plant lodging decreased significantly, while average plant height increased after three cycles of RS. We present evidence suggesting that effective selection methods can bring together the appropriate genetic makeup for superior performance from nonelite landraces of exotic geographical origins in a relatively short time. Our evidence further supports previous findings of favorable alleles being present in untapped germplasm.