Agronomic Characters and Their Correlation Coefficient on Black Seeded Soybeans Collected in Chonnam Province

In order to obtain the genetic information on the quantitative characters of black seeded soybeans, which would be needed to improve selection efficiency for breeding high yielding genotype, 45 varieties of black seeded soybeans collected in Chonnam, Korea were grown and variations of several important characters were observed. Heritability of each observed character, phenotypic and genotypic correlations among the characters and contribution of each yield component on grain yield through path coefficient analysis were estimated. Both number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight showed not only high heritability but also highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation with seed yield, and hence it was desirable to select plants with more number of pods per plant and higher 100-seed weight than raise seed yield of black seeded soybeans collected in Chonnam. In addition, number of pods per and 100-seed weight were proved to be the most influential variables on the viability of seed yield by path coefficient analysis. Since these showed the high heritability of number of pods per plant, selection of plants with higher 100-seed weight would be more efficient for breeding high yielding genotype.