Determination of yield and quality characteristics of some soybean genotypes in Çukurova conditions

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a strategically important crop worldwide due to its high protein and oil content, making it valuable for human nutrition, animal feed, and industrial raw materials. In light of global food security, sustainable agriculture, and increasing industrial demands, enhancing soybean production and developing high-yielding cultivars have become imperative. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the yield and quality traits of 144 soybean genotypes grown as a second crop under Çukurova conditions in the growing season of 2022 and 2023 years, and to determine their potential use in future soybean breeding programs. Field trials conducted over two years arranged in 12 x 12 alpha-lattice experimental design with two replications revealed significant variations among genotypes in traits such as plant height, number of branches and pods, days to flowering and days to maturity. In terms of grain yield, genotype K15-1874 exhibited the highest performance in 2022 (489.29 kg/da), while genotype B-2/27 recorded the highest yield in 2023 (323.21 kg/da). Regarding protein content, genotype PG3208 demonstrated the highest values in both years. In terms of oil content, genotypes K17-6484 and HA8/14 showed promising results. Statistically significant and positive correlations were identified between agro-morphological and quality traits such as days to flowering and maturity, number of branches and pods per plant, plant height, protein content, and hectoliter weight, varying across years. From the results of the study, it was concluded that a core collection suitable for national soybean breeding was established, and some genotypes within this collection may be used in breeding programs, particularly for improving yield, protein, and oil content. The findings underscore the necessity of maintaining such efforts to develop and diversify soybean genetic resources. Keywords: Soybean, adaptation, yield, quality, Çukurova