Abstract
Two soybean crosses, UPSM-534 × PK-86 and UPIR-1 × Bragg, were used to evaluate the potential of dry matter yield as a selectin criterion in early generations (F2, F3, F4). The comparison of mean, upper limit of range, genetic advance, proportion of significantly superior progenies in selections vs those in bulks, indicated that dry matter selections were substantially superior to bulks. There was parallel seed yield increase with selection for dry matter yield. Visual selection also proved to be superior to bulk selection. It is concluded that in early generations (F2-F4) of soybean hybrids greater reliance may also be given to visual selection of phenotypically superior plants as present practice. However, if facilities and resources permit or there are fewer crosses to be handled, the early generations may be subjected to selection for dry matter yield. Although selections proved superior to bulks on an overall basis, the bulks did include superior plants.
