ARS | Publication request: COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS OF HYBRID SOYBEAN SEED PRODUCTION

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 2, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Improved methods to produce large quantities of hybrid soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed could augment several areas of research. Two methods of producing large quantities of hybrid soybean seed, which we call the Traditional and the Dilution Methods, were previously developed by others and use the nuclear ms2 male sterility allele combined with insect pollination. We have developed the Cosegregation Method which utilizes close genetic linkage between the Ms6 and WI loci. A randomized complete block design compared these three methods. The Cosegregation Method had the highest seed yield, better efficiency, and equal or better seed quality. Male-sterile plants yielded an average of 28.6, 18.2, and 9.5 seeds per plant using the Cosegregation, Traditional, and Dilution Methods respectively. We believe hybrid seed yield is strongly influenced by weather affecting plant growth and insect vector activity.