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Seed Width to Pod Width Ratio for Identification of Green Soybean Pods that have Attained Maximum Length and Width¹

Efficient indirect selection for seed weight in a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] breeding program on the basis of the width or length of green pods requires a rapid technique for determining maximum dimensions of the pods. Our objective was to determine if the ratio of seed width (SW) to pod width (PW) could be used to establish when green pods have attained maximum width and length. Seed and pod development of nine soybean lines differing in seed weight were evaluated in Ames, Iowa, and in two environments at Isabela, Puerto Rico. Width of the seeds and pods were measured from suture to suture and pod length (PL) was measured from the base of the sepals to the tip of the pod.

Differences among lines and environments were statistically significant in the combined analysis of variance for the SW/PW ratio at the earliest time that maximum PW and PL occurred. Among lines and environments, seeds were 28 to 50% as wide as the pods when maximum PW and PL first occurred. Data combined over environments indicated that all lines attained a SW/PW ratio of 50% within 4 days after the earliest time that maximum PW or PL occurred. The results indicated that 50% would be a conservative SW/PW ratio for assuring that a green pod had reached its maximum width and length. Use of the SW/PW ratio is an efficient method of determining the earliest time that green pods can be measured for indirect selection of seed weight in soybeans.

Key Words: Glycine max (L.) Merr. • Indirect selection • Seed weight • Breeding

² Assistant professor, Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., and Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR 00708.

³ Graduate research assistant and professor, Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011.

Received for publication December 22, 1980.