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Abstract:

This experiment was carried out at Bunda College Crops and soil Science Students’ Research Farm in the 2010/2011 cropping season with the objective to assess genotype improvement in terms of productivity and protein content in different soy bean genotypes. There were 12 inbred lines i.e., UG-5, TG X 1937-1F, TG X 1954-1F, TG X 1485-1D, TG X 1019-2EB, TG X 1830-20E, TG X1885-10E, TG X 1440-1E, TG X 1904-6F, TG X-1908-8F, TG X 1019-13F, TG X1019-14F and 4 cultivars i.e. Magoye, Nasoko, Makwacha, Ocepala-4 which were assessed. These cultivars and inbred lines were grown in plots of 5M x4M each. Three seeds per station, 30cm from one station to the other, 1m distance between plots and 2m distance between blocks. The data was collected by field observations and lab experiments and analysis. The protein content in each variety was determined using Kjeldahl method which was then being expressed as percentage by mass. These genotypes were provided by the Chitedze Research station through the Crops and soil Science Department at the University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture.

Based on the results collected it shows that there was a significant genotypic improvement in some lines (crosses) in terms of yield and other yield components. TG X 1830-20E and UG-5 have high grain yield and high numbers in other yield component traits. These yield component traits include; number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, podding height, harvest index, biological yield, dry matter content and 100 seeds weight.

There is a significant difference in yield per hectare and in protein content among the 16 genotypes studied in this research. The inbred lines have high protein content than the cultivars. Among the 12 lines, two were found to be more productive than the rest. These inbred lines are TG X 1830-20E, UG-5 and TG X 1908-8F. Assessment of protein content showed that most of the inbred lines have more protein content than cultivars. The highest protein content was 49.4% by mass found in TG X 1484-1D. The lowest protein content 27.1% by mass was found in Nasoko. Most of the inbred lines have protein content ranging from 36% to 43% by mass.