Estimations of yield potentials and drought-resistance of soybean cultivars

Long-term trials of six soybean cultivars from 1999 till 2005 and 12 soybean cultivars from 2001 to 2009 were conducted. The obtained data were analyzed on biometrical indexes for the purpose to find out the method of separate estimate of two characters in soybean genotypes: their productivity potential and adaptability to climate of the south of Russia. Unfitness of general adaptive capacity value, proposed Kilchevsky A.V. and Khotyleva L.V. (1997), for selections on soybean adaptation to climate of the south of Russia has been established. Limited adaptability of used in different countries index of genotype resistance to stress is shown. For breeding on combination of high productivity and resistance to unfavourable environments, there were proposed methods of separate estimate of these characters in each genotype. Also it is shown that the important information about these characters of soybean genotypes can be obtained during studying of harvest index variability. As a result of developed estimation system usage there was determined that progresses in soybean breeding at VNIIMK during last period are caused by increase of productivity potential only partially, but generally it is cultivars adaptability to climate of the south of Russia.