Selecting soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) tolerant to low-calcium stress in short term hydroponics experiment

Soybean cultivation in the acid soils of low latitude Brazilian Savannahs ( Cerrados) has become a reality since the 1970's. Soil fertility management and crop breeding have made major contributions to high standard performanc e of this crop. There are, however, factors that limit the prospect to sust ainable production, such as levels of calcium in the soil, below the plough ed zone. This may prevent root elongation and exposes the crop to drought s tress. Genetic variability for tolerance has been identified in locally sel ected cultivars, although it has indirectly been acquired. Experimental dat a have shown variability for low-Ca tolerance among and within cultivar. Pr ogeny tests with selected individuals were carried out to assess whether th ese differences were inheritable. The results indicated the method shah be efficiently used to select superior individuals from a recurrent crossing s cheme to breed soybeans for more stable yields.