Resistance and Correlation of Pod Shattering and Selected Agronomic Traits in Soybeans

Abstract

Pod shattering is a serious production constraint that causes 34 to 99% seed losses in soybean. Identification, development and utilization of varieties with resistance to pod shattering can reduce yield losses. However, there is limited information on genetic variability of this trait in local germplasm. Twenty soybean genotypes were evaluated at KALRO-Embu and KALRO-Mwea Research Centers, in Eastern and Central highlands of Kenya during the 2016 short and long rain seasons in an alpha lattice design arranged in a 4 x 5 pattern with three replicates. Data was collected on maturity, plant height, biomass, number of seeds per pod, pod shattering and grain yield and analyzed using Genstat software (15th edition). Pearson’s correlation estimates for pod shattering and agronomic traits was done using Statistix-8 statistical package. Results showed significant interactions between genotypes, sites and seasons for days to maturity, plant biomass and pod shattering. Seasonal and location effects were significant for all the traits measured except for plant height, grain yield and pod shattering. Genotype effects showed significances for all the traits. Results showed 17.87% of soybean pod shattering in Embu and 17.41% in Mwea; 16.58% during the long rains and 18.77% during the short rains. Based on their scores, ten genotypes were classified as resistant, seven as moderately resistant, one as moderately susceptible and two as highly susceptible. Genotypes SB-8 followed by Gazelle, SB-74, SB-4, Nyala and SB-20 were the most resistant. SB-93 and SB-25 were the most susceptible genotypes. Three varieties (931/5/34, 915/5/12 and SB-154) performed well with grain yields of up to 1800 kg ha-1. The study found that pod shattering resistance was negatively correlated with number of seeds per pod (r=-0.13*). Plant with few seeds per pod tended to have high resistance to pod shattering. The resistant genotypes can be utilized for production and in effective breeding programs.

Agronomic performance and pod shattering resistance of soybean genotypes with various pod and seed colors

“…Similarly, Bara et al (2013) found that the plant age could aggravate the pod shattering. On the contrary, Kataliko et al (2019) did not found a significant correlation between pod-shattering with days to maturity.…”

“…Adeyeye et al (2014) found a significant negative correlation between pod-shattering with pod diameter while plant height had a negative but not significant effect on the number of shattered pods per plant. A newer study found that pod shattering resistance was negatively correlated with the number of seeds per pod, which means that plants with few seeds per pod tended to have high resistance to pod shattering (Kataliko et al 2019). These facts show that pod characters could play an important role in the shattering incidence.…”

Influence of the different pod positions and screening methods on soybean pod shattering

“…Soybean with a small pod, less width, and low volume/weight of seed was reported to be tolerant to pod shattering (Bara et al, 2013). In other studies, pod shattering was negatively correlated with the pod diameter (Adeyeye et al, 2014) and the number of seeds per pod (Kataliko et al, 2019). Also, pod shattering resistance was negatively and significantly correlated with the thickness and length of the bundle cap on the dorsal side of the pod and the thickness of the pod (Tiwari & Bhatia, 1995).…”

Impact of Genotype × Environment Interaction on Seed Yield and Pod Shattering of Soybean Genotypes in Nigeria

“…Pod shattering identification was done using sun-dry method [17]. Five plants were sampled per plot and four matured pods (brown or cream color) were harvested from each plant; giving a total of 20 pods.…”