SOYBEAN PUBESCENCE COLOR INFLUENCES SEED YIELD IN COOL-SEASON CLIMATES

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] pubescence color (gray or tawny) may influence the microclimate of the canopy and consequently the seed yie ld. The objectives of this research were to examine the influence of p ubescence color on the seed yield of soybean. Yield data were collecte d from soybean with either gray or tawny pubescence grown in a regiona l adaptation trial for three years at three locations. Mean yield, yie ld stability, and general adaptability were examined to determine if p ubescence color interacted with the climate to affect yield. In years or locations receiving >2600 corn heat units (CHU), soybean lines with gray pubescence had either significantly higher yield or the same yie ld as lines with tawny pubescence. In years or locations receiving <26 00 CHU, however, tawny soybean had a significantly higher yield than g ray soybean. In cool-season climates, soybean lines with tawny pubesce nce had greater seed yield stability and higher general adaptability t han those with gray pubescence.