Pod Shattering and Seed Shedding Resistance Indicators in the Soybean Collection and Hybrid Populations

Early pod shatter is a critical factor contributing to soybean yield loss, with potential losses ranging from 34 to 99%. When shatter-resistant genotypes are grown in different agro-climatic zones, there is often a loss of this resistance. Therefore, there is a need for a more detailed critical analysis of breeding methods and strategies to reduce soybean pod shatter. It has been established that pod shattering typically begins at the ventral suture, followed by a rupture along the dorsal suture, causing a longitudinal tear in the central vein. Selection of soybean varieties for increased strength at the ventral suture has not resulted in the development of varieties that are guaranteed to resist premature shattering. Thus, studying the structure of the seed peduncle is of practical significance for future research. The aim of this study was to develop a cultivar resistant to seed shedding. Of the 428 varieties examined, 103 were prone to shedding, while 70 exhibited resistance to shedding, as indicated by the presence of a white eye on the rib. Among the maturity groups, the ultra-rapid, early-ripening, mid-early, and early-ripening groups showed the highest number of shedding varieties. A positive correlation was observed between traits of non-shedding and resistance to shattering. The seed peduncle, fused with the seed leaves, was found to be a dominant trait, controlled by a single gene. The inheritance of shattering was either dominant or exhibited an intermediate mode of inheritance. In terms of yield, the average yield of the control plot with the fused seed peduncle (43.6 kg/ha) was lower than that of the plot without this trait (47.5 kg/ha).