POSSIBILITY OF EARLY GENERATION SELECTION IN SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERRILL)

The parent - offspring regression analysis was carried out on M(2)-M(3) generations of mutant populations of three soybean genotypes. intergeneration correlation coefficients between M(2) and M(3) generations were not significant for seed yield. However, significant intergeneration correlations were observed for plant height, number of branches and number of pods in some of the populations. The heritability values in narrow sense were low for seed yield except in 0.4% EMS populations of JS 335 and Ankur; 10 kR gamma rays populations of Ankur and Local black soybean where moderate values were observed. However, it was moderate to high for 100 seed weight in most of the populations. It was concluded that heritability in narrow sense and intergeneration correlation should be used together to decide whether to exercise selection or not for a given trait.