Assessment of soybean raw material in regard to plant adaptability in the climatic conditions of the Middle Volga Region

Abstract

Abstract The ecological flexibility, stability, and adaptability of the “seed weight per plant” trait of soybean raw materialwere assessed in the forest-steppe conditions of the Middle Volga Region. The most valuable varieties for use in the breeding process for this trait were selected. The experimental work was carried out in 2019—2021. In total, 14 soybean varieties of various ecological and geographical origins were assessed. The regionalized agricultural variety of local selection, Yuzhanka, was set as the standard. The soil at the experimental plot was represented by typical medium-humus, medium-thick, medium-clay chernozem. The humus content was 5.8—6.9%, the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, 133.6—156.5 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium, 154.0—180.0 mg/kg. In 2019—2021, in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga Region, average individual productivity of soybean plants was 7.47—12.17 g. The highest individual seed productivity was registered in the varieties 680-11 (Ukraine), 422 (Kazakhstan), OX 299 (Canada), L-60/2018 and Nika (Russia), exceeding the standard by 4.97—5.43 g. The lowest total rank was found for varieties 422 (Kazakhstan) – 23, Nika (Russia) – 28, Gessener (Yugoslavia) – 28, L-59/2018 (Russia) – 29 , OX 299 (Canada) – 31, and 680-11 (Ukraine) – 34, while the standard variety refers to 72. These varieties are promising raw material for developing soybean varieties with high productivity potential due to the effective use of the soil and climatic conditions of the region and resistance to dominant environmental stress factors.