Genetic gain in soybean in Paraná State, Brazil, obtained by breeding.

Abstract

The efficiency of the soybean breeding program of Paraná, Brazil, was evaluated using data already available from the yield tests incorporated in the routine of the program. Data from the soybean official trials of 1981 to 1986, early and semi-early maturity groups were uscd. The realized genetic gains were 1.8% and 1.3% for the early and semi-early genotypes, respectively. These two maturity groups correspond to approximately 70% of all soybean grown in the State. The results indicate that data already available from the line testing procedures enable the breeders to evaluate the genetic progress of their program. The gains show that the breeding efforts towards better yelding and adapted cultivars have produced satisfactory results.