Cultivar differentiation is carried out by the least margin of specific descriptors in each species. Nowadays, approximately 38 descriptors, including the obligatory and additional ones, are used to differentiate soybean cultivars. Since these descriptors are still not enough, it is necessary to increase the number of descriptors used, which should be previously identified and evaluated. The objectives of this study were to identify and evaluate new traits for the differentiation of soybean cultivars. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at the Plant Science Department of the Federal University of Viçosa at four different times (two during summer and two during winter). The treatments consisted of 11 soybean cultivars arranged in a complete randomized design with five replicates. Each experimental unit consisted of one pot with two plants. The following characteristics were evaluated: hypocotyl length (CH), epicotyl length (CE), petiole length of the unifoliate leaf (CPFU), base shape coefficient of the unifoliate leaf (CFB), base width coefficient of the unifoliate leaf (CLB), petiole length of the first trifoliate leaf (CPFT) and rachis length of terminal leaflet in the first trifoliate leaf (CRFT). Anderson's discriminant analysis was performed, and statistical analyses were carried out using the Genetics and Statistics software 'Programa Genes'. Significant differences were found for all characteristics in the four sowing times. Discriminant analysis allowed the differentiation of the soybean cultivars. It was concluded that the characteristics are useful as additional descriptors of soybean cultivars.
Glycine max; descriptors; improvement
