The objective of this research was to quantify heterosis of agronomic traits and evaluate direct and indirect correlations among seed yield and other traits. A diallel involving six parents was grown in two localities. Seed yield (PG), one-hundred seed weight (PCS), number of pods per plant (NV), weight of aerial part of the plant (PPA), harvest index (IC) and number of seeds per pod (NGV) were evaluated. Positive values of heterosis were detected for all traits. Estimates of heterosis components were significative for most traits, showing effects of aditivity and dominance. The specific heterosis was more important than the variety heterosis, mainly in the locality Anhembi. MTBR-95-123800 presented the best potential per se and as parent in crosses, but it was excelled by some of the hybrids in the two localities. Number of pods per plant demonstrated to be suitable for indirect selection for PG.
Breeding; indirect selection; correlations among traits; path analysis; Glycine max
