Genotype x environment interaction effect on soybean genotypes under rhizobia inoculation in the savanna region of Nigeria

Abstract

A study aimed at exploiting soybean genotypes differences, assessing genotype by environment effect on seed yield and rhizobia inoculation as a means of improving nitrogen fixation and productivity of soybean across three locations in the savanna was conducted in 2015 rainy season. The experiments were arranged in split plot design and replicated three times. Treatments were twenty four soybean genotypes and three levels of rhizobial inoculation (uninoculated and inoculated with Legumefix and Nodumax). Results indicated that with the expectation of percentage emergence, number of days to 50% flowering and 100-seed weight, there were significant differences between the inoculated and uninoculated plants in all the parameters measured. The effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and G×E interactions on height, number of leaves and number of branches per plant, above ground biomass and seed yield were significant (p=0.05). Two soybean genotypes (TGx 1989-45F and TGx 1989-40F) were identified as the most promising in relation to yield stability. Of the three locations, Abuja produced the least interaction effects followed by Igabi and may be most appropriate environments for soybean production and evaluation. Selection in these environments will be effective as the relative of these genotypes would be fairly stable