Objective  Genetics and quality of a variety of germplasms of spring soybeans for fresh consumption were studied and evaluated for breeding and production in Fujian province.

  Method  Descriptive statistics and analyses of variation, correlation, principal components, and clustering were applied to study the genetics of 47 germplasms. Seven phenotypic and 13 agronomic traits were selected to evaluate the quality of the spring soybeans for fresh consumption.

  Result  Aside from plant type and podding habit, phenotypic traits differentiated significantly among the 47 germplasms. There were distinctive differences on 13 agronomic traits with variation coefficients ranging from 7.49% to 38.07%. Among them, the coefficient on the bottom pod height was the largest and that on the standard pod length the smallest. Significant correlations were found between (1) plant height and bottom pod height, number of effective branches, pod weight per plant, and standard pod yield, (2) stem girth and pod weight per plant, standard pod yield, and number of effective branches, (3) count of effective branches and pod weight per plant, standard pod yield, and fresh pod yield, (4) effective and standard pod counts per plant and pod weight per plant, and (5) pod weight per plant and standard and fresh pod yields. The CASAR normalized maximum variance rotational principal component analysis indicated that the 13 agronomic traits provided 73.677% information describing 4 major factors on pod yield, pod number, plant type, and pod shape of the plants. Based on the principal factor characteristic vector and corresponding characteristic root and the comprehensive principal component score on each of and the Euclidean distances among the 47 germplasms calculated from the standardized data on 13 agronomic traits, the method of the sum of squared deviations divided the 47 germplasms into 2 major categories and 2 sub-categories, whereas the cluster analysis classified them into 3 major categories and 2 sub-categories. The two methods drew a generally agreeable conclusion. Based on the scores of top 10 principal components, standard pod yield, and fresh pod yield of the cultivars, Nannong 1821, Mindou No. 14, Xinghuadou No. 8, Xinghua 618, Mindou No. 10, Xinghuadou No. 9, Xinghuadou No. 4, and Xinghuadou No. 3 were the choice high-quality, high-yield germplasms of spring soybeans for fresh consumption.

  Conclusion  Of 47 spring soybean germplasms, 8 stood out as the most desirable cultivars for fresh consumption. They were also highly diversified genetically for being used as parents or intermediate materials in breeding new varieties.