Characters of Pod Anatomy Associated with Resistance to Pod-Shattering in Soybean

Seven characteristics of pod anatomy were studied for theirassociation with resistance to pod-shattering in 16 soybean[Glycine max (L.) Merrill] varieties and strains. The thicknessand length of the bundle cap on the dorsal side of the pod andpod-wall thickness were found to be significantly negativelycorrelated with the degree of pod-shattering. Further statisticalanalyses confirmed that these three anatomical characters werealmost equally important and could potentially serve as criteriafor the selection of resistance to pod-shattering. The identifiedtraits/sites in the pod represent sclerenchymous structuresand may provide the structural basis of resistance to pod-shatteringin soybean.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Pod, anatomy, shattering, soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill