Different results have been obtained in scientific research conducted on soybean (Glycine max) in Turkey. Karasu et al. (2002) cultivated 8 different varieties of soybean for 3 years under the conditions of Bursa province, and determined the grain yields for the three year cultivation period. Cinsoy et al. (2005) reported that the yields of the different soybean genotypes they investigated varied. Thompson et al. (1989) investigated the genotype performance of different cultivars and
lines of soybean (Glycine max). The present study was aimed at the germination of the seed explants of soybean (Glycine max) by efficient modified methods, as the yield and quality traits of this crop are influenced greatly by environmental factors, due to its being a short-day plant. In this context, firstly field trials were conducted in the study period, and using the seed explants of cultivars obtained from producers in the Mediterranean region, it was targeted to increase the germination rate of seeds in vitro, and to achieve rapid production of seedlings using the tissue culture technique with a view to contribute to farmers and the agricultural economy. Furthermore, the study was supported by molecular genetic methods for seed breeding. Molecular genetic methods based on the use of molecular markers and tissue culture studies have gained significance , in that they enable the more efficient use of plant breeding programmes for the protection of plant gene resources. Following the collection of plants in field trials, in cases where problems are encountered
in the propagation and identification of the crop explants, the determination of genetic diversity of gene resources or in the collection of plant materials, which have persistent seeds that reproduce vegetatively, in vitro techniques, including tissue culture, prove to yield success [14]. In such cases, the plant explants to be cultured must be selected with precaution. When in vitro reproduction
methods are used and somatically produced materials are cultured, generally agronomic characteristics should also be taken into consideration. In plant tissue cultures, due to cultures with callus-like organization being prone to somaclonal variation, generally tissues organized similar to sprouts are preferred to be used. In plant breeding programmes, gene transfer, selection and
the determination of potential cultivars are also of great significance. Therefore, in the present study, following the selection of appropriate meristems, the tips of the sprouts were obtained, and the roots, stem and leaves of the plant were produced from seed explants in the tissue culture laboratory. The present study was aimed at method validation and the establishment of a modified
method for the provision of optimal tissue culture conditions for the germination of the seeds of soybean, which is a protein-rich crop of the Far East, consumed in the form of meat, milk, flour and sauce