Studies on relationship between seed yield and yield components in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

Abstract

A study was conducted on 56 genotypes of soybean to determine correlation and per cent contribution of variation by each trait on grain yield through principal component analysis. Mean Values for traits studied showed that TGx1987-64F had the highest yield of 2.09 t/ha, followed by TGx 1987-37-37F. Correlation coefficient for seed yield was positive with days to flowering and maturity, plant height and number of pods per plant. The principal component analysis identified the traits days to maturity, plant height and number of pods per plan as mostly responsible for variation among the genotypes. Highly weighted variables under the first principal component which explained 39.83% of the total variation include days to maturity, plant height and number of pods per plant. The second principal component explained an additional 20.52% of the total variation. These two components explained 60.36% of the total variation in all the variables. Therefore, genetic enhancement of these traits will ultimately increase the grain yield.