The objective of this study was to analyze the inheritance pattern of soybean adaptation to shade stress based on leaf morpho-physiological characters. Genetic materials used in this study consisted of 22 plants of low irradiance (LI)-tolerant genotype (Ceneng) and 22 plants of LI-sensitive genotype (Godek); 21 plants of F1 (Ceneng x Godek); and 114 plants of F2 populations (derived from F1). These populations were planted under shading of paranet 50%. The population was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with two replicates. Analysis of inheritance of soybean adaptation involved estimation of heritability (broad sense) and gene action. Results of this study showed that: adaptation of soybean to low light stress based on characters of yield per plant was highly heritable (68% of broad sense) with partial dominant mode of action. Characters of leaf area and specific leaf weight were highly (68% of broad sense) and moderately (48% of broad sense) heritable, respectively, with additive mode of action. Soybean adaptation based on leaf physiological characters (chlorophyll contents) was highly heritable (70% - 86% of broad sense) in epistatic mode of action