Comprehensive analysis of phenotypic variation and selection strategies for yield-related traits in recombinant inbred lines of soybeans

In the present study, genetic diversity was assessed in RIL population developed at Indian Institute of Soybean Research (IISR) Indore by crossing of released varieties JS 97-52 and NRC 37. The Analysis of variance suggested that all the studied traits differed significantly. High heritability with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for plant height, number of primary branches, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/plants, days to maturity, biological yield, 100 seed weight, harvest index and seed yield per plant. Significant positive association with grain yield per plant was observed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and 100 seed weight. The highest positive direct effect towards grain yield was exerted by biological yield per plant, followed by harvest index and number of pods per plant. Diversity analysis revealed that Cluster VI and XII had highest inter cluster distance.