The evaluation of genetic parameters in early generations select individuals in F2 and F2:3 and advancing only progenies with the potential to generate pure productive lines. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters in F2 and F2:3 populations derived from UFUS 7415 and TMG 7161 RR, evaluate different genotype selection strategies, and select progenies to improve agronomic traits. Populations in the F2 and F2:3 generations derived from a biparental cross between the parents UFUS 7415 and TMG  7161 RR were evaluated. The genetic parameters of 360 individuals in the F2 generation and 150 genotypes of each parent were evaluated. Heritability varied from 4.66% for the number of seeds per pod to 86.06% for plant height at flowering. The greatest selection gain was obtained for plant height at flowering (29.68%), related to grain production. In the F2:3 generation, 145 genotypes were evaluated and their parents, in a randomized block design with two replications. The correlations between characters and the genetic gains obtained by direct and indirect selection and based on the genotype–ideotype distance index and the Mulamba and Mock index of the sum of “ranks” were evaluated. With direct selection, selection gains ranged from –5.34 to 16.19%. The genotype–ideotype distance index showed a total selection gain of 40.49%, while the Mulamba and Mock index of the sum of ranks obtained a total gain of 39.35%. Twenty‐three genotypes were selected for the characters evaluated with both indexes in the F3 generation.

Soybean is one of the most valuable commercial crops because of its high protein, carbohydrate, and oil content. The land area cultivated with soybean in subtropical regions, such as Brazil, is continuously expanding, in some instances at the expense of carbon storing natural habitats. Strategies to decrease yield/seed losses and increase production efficiency are urgently required to meet global demand for soybean in a sustainable manner. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of an Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), SealicitTM, in increasing yields of different soybean varieties, in two geographical regions (Canada and Brazil). In addition, we investigated the potential of SealicitTM to reduce pod shattering at the trials in Brazil. Three different concentrations of SealicitTM were applied to pod shatter-susceptible (SS) UFUS 6901 and shatter-resistant (SR) UFUS 7415 varieties to assess their impact on pod firmness. SS variety demonstrated a significant decrease in pod shattering, which coincided with deregulation of GmPDH1.1 and GmSHAT1–5 expression, genes that determine pod dehiscence, and higher seed weight per pod. SealicitTM application to the SR variety did not significantly alter its inherent pod shatter resistance, but provided higher increases in seed yield at harvest. This yield increase maybe associated with to other yield components stimulated by the biostimulant. This work demonstrates that SealicitTM, which has previously been shown to improve pod firmness in Arabidopsis and selected commercial oilseed rape varieties through IND gene down-regulation, also has the potential to improve pod resistance and seed productivity in soybean, a member of the legume family sharing a similar strategy for seed dispersal.

The objective of this work was to estimate genotypic and phenotypic parameters associated with early maturity, and to select soybean (Glycine max) progenies that are high yielding and early maturing. F3:4 and F3:5 progenies were evaluated during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 crop years in five environments. Data on days to full maturity, days to flowering, and grain yield were collected and analyzed using the mixed model approach. Genotypic and phenotypic parameters, expected and achieved selection gains, and correlated responses were estimated. The components genetic variation and genotype x environment interaction were significant. Heritability fluctuated from 50.14%, for grain yield, to 90.37%, for full maturity. The achieved genetic gain for full maturity ranged from −0.17 to −2.57%. A positive correlation was observed among the three evaluated traits. The selection of 5.0% of the earliest-maturing soybean progenies would reduce mean grain yield by about 5.02%, but also reduce time to reach full maturity from 125 to 119 days, in detriment of 210.5 kg ha−1 potential yield. Five progenies reached full maturity up to 120 days. Progeny 51 overperformed the more productive parent (NK 7074 RR), with a grain yield of 4,975 kg ha−1 and 128 days to full maturity.

The genetic breeding of soybean aims to obtain productive genotypes, so it is necessary that the genetic components, environment and the interaction between them be understood. The G x E interaction is the differential behavior of the genotypes against environmental. The objective was to study the G x E interaction and analyze the adaptability and stability of soybean genotypes under natural rust infection without fungicide. The experiment was conducted in the Genetic Breeding Program of the Federal University of Uberlândia. Fourteen soybean genotypes were evaluated, with 10 lines developed by the UFU Program