Exotic mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) germplasm: Its utilization through conventional breeding approach

Abstract

Improved mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) germplasm having high yield potential and large seed size developed at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), Taiwan was crossed with indigenous material from Pakistan. F, seeds from single plants in each cross combination were collected to raise F2 populations for selection by pedigree method. Succeeding generations were gi own for the selection of desirable recombinants having resistance to mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV), large seed size, higher number of pods per plant and grain yield. Plant progeny rows were raised, true breeding selections were bulked, and evaluated for yield potential and other desirable plant characteristics. Out of these, NIAB Mung 92 (NM 92) has been released as a commercial variety based on its high yield performance, large seed size, resistance to MYMV, synchronous maturity with non-shattering pods, and improved plant type. A number of other elite lines developed through this breeding approach may prove a useful source of potential genes for other economic traits for future breeding.