Genetic variability and heritability of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) genotypes in Pawe district, Metekel zone, Benishangule Gumuz regional state, northwestern Ethiopia

Forty eight soybean genotypes were studied for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for nine important traits at Pawe district during the main season of 2012. The experiment was designed as Augmented with four standard checks. In general, PCV were higher than the GCV and the differences were small, suggesting that these characters were relatively less influenced by the environment. High broad sense heritability and genetic advance were found for stand count at emergency (69.09, 61.71) and plant height (73.49, 40.76) whereas, high heritability and moderate genetic advance for days to 50 % flowering (78.24, 10.65). This is an indication that variation is attributed to high degree of additive effect and selection would prove useful. Based on findings, it can be concluded that, stand count at emergency, days to flowering and plant height in the studied genotypes can be further exploited through improvement and selection programs for developing high yielding soybean genotypes.