ABSTRACT. Selecting genotypes that combine high productivity with high seed quality is a challenge. The exploration of intracultivar genetic variation is an alternative to significantly increase the annual genetic gain and maximize the selection efficiency for both characteristics. The present study aimed to identify intracultivar variation to improve the seed quality of soybean genotypes derived from the commercial cultivar BRS 284, selected using the HSD (Honeycomb Selection Designs) model. Soybean genotypes selected for two years from two environments with contrasting edaphoclimatic characteristics, according to the principles of the HSD selection model, were cultivated under competition by using the experimental model in randomized blocks with four replicates and evaluated regarding the productivity and physiological quality of seeds. The results showed that genotype 284-3 presented a greater mass of 100 seeds, germination, vigour after accelerated ageing test, seedling emergence and emergence speed index than the other genotypes in both environments, with no significant difference in the standard cultivar regarding seed yield. The HSD method was an efficient selection method to identify intracultivar variation to improve cultivar performance.

Na safra de 1990/1991, a Embrapa Soja em parceria com a Embrapa Transferência de Tecnologia iniciou um trabalho de transferência de tecnologia para as cultivares de soja, em parceria com produtores de sementes. A metodologia consistiu no planejamento das atividades de transferência, instalação e condução de unidades de demonstração, acompanhamento a campo, realização de dias de campo e avaliação das atividades desenvolvidas, com participação dos produtores de sementes envolvidos, em todas as etapas. Esse trabalho, em conjunto com o programa de melhoramento da Embrapa Soja e em sincronia com o setor de produção de sementes resultou na participação das cultivares da Embrapa na produção de sementes do estado do Paraná em níveis superiores a 50%,, iniciando com 3% e chegando a alcançar 64% desse mercado, no período de 1990 a 2003. Os resultados observados mostram a importância de incorporar a transferência de tecnologia dentro dos projetos de pesquisa de melhoramento de plantas.

During the 1990/1991 growing season, Embrapa Soybean and Embrapa Technology Transfer started a joint program of technology transfer for soybean cultivars with seed producers. The methodology used consisted of planning the activities of technology transfer, establishment and management for demonstration units, field follow-ups, implementation of field days, and evaluation of the activities therein developed, with the participation and feedback provided during all the steps by the seed producers engaged in the program. This work carried out with the Embrapa soybean-breeding program and in synchrony with the seed production sector resulted in Embrapa's cultivars sharing an average of 50% of the total soybean seeds produced in the State of Paraná, starting with 3% in 1990 and reaching 64% in 2003. The results achieved clearly show the importance of incorporating technology transfer into plant breeding research projects.

Trinta e quatro linhagens de soja foram avaliadas para doze características. As distâncias genéticas foram estimadas utilizando técnicas multivariadas com objetivo de identificar parentais a serem incluidos em um programa de melhoramento envolvendo hibridação. O agrupamento pelo método de Tocher, a partir das distâncias generalizadas de Mahalanobis, dividiu as 34 linhagens em 4 grupos. As caracterísiticas agronômicas mais importantes, peso de sementes por parcela, altura de planta, altura da primeira vagem e dias para maturação foram consideradas para a recomendação dos cruzamentos. Os seguintes cruzamentos foram recomendados baseado na divergência genética e nas características agronômicas chave: linhagens 23, 10, 2, 27 e 25 (grupo I) com genótipo 6 (grupoII) e com o genótipo 16 (grupo III). Portanto somente 10 cruzamentos poderiam ser realizados representando somente 2% do total de cruzamentos qu poderiam ser realizados em um dialelo parcial entre as 34 linhagens avaliadas as quais admitiriam até 561 combinações.

Thirty-four soybean lines were assessed for twelve traits. The genetic distances were estimates using multivariate techniques, to identify parents to be included in breeding programs for hybridization. Grouping by the Tocher method, from generalized Mahalanobis distances, divided the 34 lines into four groups. The most important agronomic traits, weight of seeds per plot, plant height, height of first pod and days to maturity were considered when recommending for crossing. The following crosses were recommended based on the genetic divergence and the key agronomic traits: lines 23, 10, 2, 27 and 25 (group I) with genotype 6 (group II) and genotype 16 (group III). Thus only ten crosses would be made, representing only 2% of the total crosses which could be made in the partial diallel among the 34 lines assessed, which would allow up to 561 combinations.