Genotypic and phenotypic parameters associated with early maturity in soybean

Abstract The objective of this work was to estimate genotypic and phenotypic parameters associated with early maturity, and to select soybean (Glycine max) progenies that are high yielding and early maturing. F3:4 and F3:5 progenies were evaluated during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 crop years in five environments. Data on days to full maturity, days to flowering, and grain yield were collected and analyzed using the mixed model approach. Genotypic and phenotypic parameters, expected and achieved selection gains, and correlated responses were estimated. The components genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction were significant. Heritability fluctuated from 50.14%, for grain yield, to 90.37%, for full maturity. The achieved genetic gain for full maturity ranged from −0.17 to −2.57%. A positive correlation was observed among the three evaluated traits. The selection of 5.0% of the earliest-maturing soybean progenies would reduce mean grain yield by about 5.02%, but also reduce time to reach full maturity from 125 to 119 days, in detriment of 210.5 kg ha−1 potential yield. Five progenies reached full maturity up to 120 days. Progeny 51 overperformed the more productive parent (NK 7074 RR), with a grain yield of 4,975 kg ha−1 and 128 days to full maturity.