Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part S (2025)

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), a globally important oilseed and protein-rich legume, demands genetic improvement for yield, quality, and stress resilience. Harnessing parental diversity is essential for marker-assisted breeding programs. In this study, eleven soybean genotypes, comprising both grain- and vegetable-type lines, were evaluated for morphological and molecular diversity. Morphological traits such as plant height, flower color, and maturity duration were assessed, revealing substantial variation between grain and vegetable types. Molecular characterization was conducted using 50 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, of which 44 amplified successfully, with 18 exhibiting high polymorphism. Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) values ranged from 0.14 to 0.94, indicating moderate to high genetic variability. Cluster analysis clearly differentiated vegetable- and grain-type genotypes into distinct clades, corroborating morphological findings. The study establishes the effectiveness of SSR markers in parental polymorphism surveys. Identified polymorphic markers are directly applicable in hybridity testing, background genome analysis, and marker-assisted backcross breeding to develop nutritionally enhanced and stress-resilient soybean cultivars.