Fifty-eight years of genetic improvement of short-season soybean cultivars in Canada

• Published in: Crop science Vol. 37; no. 2
• Main Authors: Voldeng, H.D. (Agric. and Agri-Food Canada, ON, Canada.), Cober, E.R, Hume, D.J, Gillard, C, Morrison, M.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.1997
• Subjects: ACEITES VEGETALES; AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS; ALTURA; BREEDING METHODS; CARACTERE AGRONOMIQUE; CARACTERISTICAS AGRONOMICAS; CONCENTRATION; CONTENIDO PROTEICO; CROP YIELD; ENCAMADO; GLYCINE MAX; GRAINE; HAUTEUR; HEIGHT; HUILE VEGETALE; LODGING; MADUREZ; MATURITE; MATURITY; MATURITY GROUPS; METHODE D'AMELIORATION GENETIQUE; METODOS DE MEJORAMIENTO GENETICO; ONTARIO; PESO; PLANT OILS; POIDS; PRECOCIDAD; PRECOCITE; PRECOCITY; PROTEIN CONTENT; QUEBEC; RENDEMENT DES CULTURES; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS; SEED; SEED OILS; SEEDS; SEMENCE; SEMILLA; SEMILLAS; STABILITY; TENEUR EN PROTEINES; VARIEDADES; VARIETE; VARIETIES; VERSE; WEIGHT; YIELD STABILITY
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci1997.0011183X003700020020x

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in short-season areas has increased greatly because of improvements in cultivars and production practices. Previous studies of genetic improvement in soybean have reported yield increases of 0.5 to 1% per year. To evaluate the genetic improvement of short-season germplasm, 41 cultivars ranging from maturity group 000 to 0, released from 1934 to 1992, were grown for 8 station-years in Ontario and Quebec. Yield, maturity, plant height, lodging score, 100-seed weight, seed protein and oil levels, and yield stability were regressed on year of release to determine if improvements have been made. Yield has been improved about 0.5% per year during the period under study; however, since 1976 yield has been improved about 0.7% per year. There is evidence that the rate of genetic improvement of seed yield is accelerating. Significant lodging reduction was also observed. Seed protein levels have been reduced 4 g kg-1 yr-1 and seed oil levels have increased 4 g kg-1 yr-1. Although yield has been increased, yield stability has remained constant