GENOME SIZE AND MATURITY GROUP IN GLYCINE-MAX (SOYBEAN)

Recent literature data indicate a 1.15-fold difference in genome size between certain cultivars of soybean and a positive correlation of gen ome size and maturity group. The present analysis aims at a reinvestig ation of these cultivars using DAPI and ethidium bromide flow cytometr y and Feulgen densitometry. No reproducible genome size differences we re found between these cultivars with either technique, and correlatio n with maturity group was not confirmed. The previously claimed statis tical significance of such a correlation was found to result from only one exceedingly low DNA value of an early maturing cultivar, which, a ccording to our data, is not different from the others.