Morphological characterization of soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties using qualitative traits

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) is a vital crop for food and industry due to its high protein and oil content. In India, particularly Madhya Pradesh, it forms the backbone of kharif cropping systems. This study aimed to characterize 30 soybean genotypes based on qualitative traits using the guidelines provided under Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing. Traits studied included plant growth type and habit, flower and leaf characteristics, pod traits, seed morphology, and reaction to diseases like Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctonia aerial blight. Results showed significant variability among genotypes, with implications for breeding programs targeting pest resistance, mechanical harvesting, and varietal identification. The study offers a foundation for varietal development using stable, heritable qualitative markers.