Performance of Newly Released Early Maturing Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Variety, ‘Guda’ in the Major Growing Agro-ecologies of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soybean is an affordable and valuable source of protein, oil, and other important nutrients. The current national average yield is 2.49 t ha-1, which is low as compared to its potential due mainly to lack of varieties with wider adaptability to major agro-ecologies. Most of the released soybean varieties are medium to late maturity groups, and early maturing varieties are generally limited. Efforts have been underway to fill the gap through developing early maturing varieties. Jimma Research Center conducted a multi-location National Variety Trial (NVT) followed by a Variety Verification Trial (VVT) where candidate varieties were evaluated for release. Prior to release, the candidate was evaluated on a series of variety performance trails, including the NVT where 10 genotypes including the checks were tested in a randomized complete block design with four replications for two seasons across five locations. Combined data analysis revealed that the variety ‘Guda’ outperformed all the test genotypes including the checks. ‘Guda’ exhibited a 17 and 26% yield advantages over the recently released standard check, ‘Gazelle’ and the other check, ‘Nova’, respectively. In addition, the variety showed better tolerance to diseases. After a thorough evaluation of the NVT data and verification plots, the candidate genotype, HAR/PR142-15-SB, was officially released by the name “Guda” in the 2021 cropping season. Popularization of the new variety for farmers and fast inclusion of the new variety seed in the production system will play a significant role in increasing production and productivity of soybean in moisture deficit growing areas.