COMBINING ABILITY AND INHERITANCE STUDIES OF AGRONOMIC AND QUALITY TRAITS IN SOYBEAN

Abstract

Soybean is a globally significant legume crop valued for its dual role as a protein- and oil-rich commodity. Understanding the genetic foundation of yield and quality traits is crucial for designing effective breeding programs. This study was conducted at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, to evaluate inheritance patterns and combining ability special effects for key agronomic and seed quality traits in diverse soybean genotypes. Significant genotypic variation was observed across all traits, indicating the presence of exploitable genetic diversity. Early- and late-maturing lines were identified, along with genotypes combining high pod number and seed weight, which contributed to superior yields. Variation in protein and oil contents further highlighted opportunities for simultaneous selection of high-yielding and nutritionally superior genotypes. These results provide valuable insights into the inheritance of yield-contributing and quality traits, offering a strong basis for future soybean breeding efforts targeting improved productivity and nutritional quality.