Selection for Seed‐Filling Period in Soybean1

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Abstract
The duration of seed fill may be a physiological indicator of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genotypes possessing high yield capabilities. In order for it to be of use in yield improvement programs, it must be highly heritable and be highly correlated with yield. The objective of this research was to determine if early‐generation classifications for seed‐filling period (SFP) can be maintained in later generations. Divergent selection for reproductive period was conducted on F2 single plants created by crossing ‘Williams’ ✕ ‘Kanrich’. Divergent selection for SFP was carried out in the F4 on single plants and in the F5 on unreplicated plant rows. Selected F4‐derived lines were grown at Urbana, IL in the F6 (1982) and F7 (1983) in replicated field plots to be evaluated for SFP classification. Soil classifications for the 1982 and 1983 experiments were a Drummer silty clay loam (Typic Haplaquall) and a Catlin silt loam (Typic Argiudoll), respectively. There was no relationship between reproductive period in the F2 generation and SFP in subsequent generations, but positive associations between SFP classifications in early generations (F4 and F5) and SFP classifications in later generations (F6 and F7) were found. This suggests the possible use of SFP in yield improvement programs for soybeans.