Comparison of Emasculation and Nonemasculation for Hybridization of Soybeans 1

Emasculation and nonemasculation of the soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] flower for hybridization were compared for percentage of pollinations that produced a pod (percent success), number of seeds per pod, number of selfed seed, percentage of hybrid seed based on total pollinations, and time required for hybridization. Two persons made pollinations with three sets of parents in each of three Iowa and two Puerto Rico environments. The gene controlling flower and hypocotyl color was used to differentiate hybrid and selfed seed. Average percentage of successful pollinations across environments was significantly greater for nonemasculation (44%) than for emasculation (36%). Average number seeds per pod was similar for the two procedures. The average number of selfed seed was not significantly different for nonemasculation and emasculation. The percentage of hybrid seed based on total pollinations averaged across environments was significantly greater for nonemasculation (94%) than for emasculation (73%). Time saved by not emasculating the female parent permitted at least 10% more flowers to be pollinated per hour than when emasculation was used. Emasculation of soybean flowers prior to pollination is not justified on the basis of these results.