Evaluation of Early Maturity Group of Soybean (glycine Max L. Merr.) for Agronomic Performance and Estimates of Genetic Parameters in Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso

Soybean is an economically important crop that provides oil and high-quality protein. In Burkina Faso, soybean is one of the promising crops identified in the framework of the strategy for the development of agricultural sectors. However, very few improved varieties have been developed. The identification of newly improved varieties with high agronomic potential and adapted to the climatic conditions will strengthen soybean production in the country. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of 24 soybean genotypes at the Farako-Bâ Research Station in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. The experimental design was an alpha lattice arranged in a 50 cm × 5 cm with 3 replications. The results of this research revealed significant differences (p <0.05) among genotypes with reference to days to flowering, days to maturity, number of nodules, plant height, pod clearance, number of pods, pod shattering, hundred seed weight and number of nodes. Nodules score and diameter, number of branches and grain yield were non-significant. Based on agronomical traits, three genotype groups were clustered. Clusters 1 consisted of the high grain yield groups with the genotypes TGX2017-5E (2083.33 kg/ha), TGX1993-4FN (1666.67 kg/ha), TGX2017-6E (1666.67 kg/ha) and TGX2016-4E (1583.33 kg/ha), being the highest yielding.