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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430042
Research Project: Exploiting Genetic Diversity to Improve Environmental Resilience, Seed Composition, Yield, and Profitability of U.S. Soybean

Location: Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research

Title: Genotype selection in soybean using WAASB and MTSI for seed yield, composition and fatty acid profiles under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Author
item RAVELOMBOLA, FRANCIA - University Of Missouri
item SINGH-BAKALA, HARMEET - University Of Missouri
item ADEVA, CHERYL - University Of Missouri
item OLIVEIRA, MALARA - University Of Missouri
item HUNT, DESTINY - University Of Missouri
item Fallen, Benjamin
item SHANNON, GROVER - University Of Missouri
item LIN, FENG - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Soybean is one of the world’s most important crops, but drought, especially during reproductive stages, sharply reduces yield and seed quality. In 2023 and 2024, 22 soybean varieties were evaluated in Missouri under irrigated and rainfed conditions for yield, seed size, protein, oil, and fatty acid composition. Three varieties, G9, G6, and G17, consistently combined strong yields, improved oil content, and stable performance across environments, including under drought stress. On average, these varieties increased yield by more than 5 percent and oil content by 1 percent compared to the overall group, while maintaining acceptable protein and other seed quality traits. The identification of these drought-resilient, stable lines provides soybean growers with potential options for maintaining reliable production and profitability under variable water conditions.

Technical Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max) yield and seed quality are highly affected by drought stress, particularly during reproductive stages. We evaluated 22 genotypes (17 breeding lines, five checks) under irrigated and rainfed conditions across three Missouri environments (2023–2024) for maturity, seed yield, 100-seed weight, protein, oil, and five fatty acids. Significant genotype (G), environment (E), and G×E effects were observed for most traits. Seed yield was the most environment-sensitive, while protein and oil were relatively stable. We found that seed yield correlated positively with 100-seed weight (r = 0.43) and maturity (r = 0.21), but negatively with protein (r = -0.25) and oleic acid (r = -0.25). Protein was negatively correlated with oil (r = -0.55) and linolenic acid (r = -0.28). Oleic acid showed strong negative correlations with linoleic (r = -0.81) and linolenic acids (r = -0.62). Stability and performance analyses using the Weighted Average of Absolute Scores from Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (WAASB) and the Multi-Trait Stability Index (MTSI) identified genotypes G9, G6, and G17 as promising candidates for potential release. Selection improved yield by 5.17% and oil content by 1.05%, with minor reductions in protein (-0.49%) and oleic acid (-1.60%). These results highlight breeding candidates with drought resilience and stable seed quality for variable water regimes.