HETEROSIS AND HETEROBELTIOSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD COMPONENTS IN SOYBEAN

The objective of this research was to evaluate heterosis and heterobeltiosis for four grain yield components in soybean and to compare performances of the F I hybrids with those of the parents. The research involved 29 genotypes: 11 parental and 18 F I hybrids. Positive heterosis and heterobeltiosis were evaluated for the pod number per plant (18.75%; 7.9%), seed number per plant (16.14%; 3.98%) and for the seed weight per plant (25.72%; 11.8%). Low positive heterosis (6.62%) and negative heterobeltiosis (-1.08%) were determined for the trait harvest index per plant. The cross combinations characterized by high mean values and positive evaluations of heterosis for most analyzed traits (Ika x Vita, Podravka 95 x Ika, Ika x OS-1212-05) are populations from which selection of new superior lines are expected. Generally, the obtained results of this study will contribute to the efficiency of the breeding process to the increasing of yield genetic potential in the domestic soybean germplasm.