Screening for water stress induced by polyethylene glycol- 6000 in green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek)

Twenty five mung bean genotypes were screened utilizing PEG-6000 at different water potentials (-0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MPa) for drought tolerance. The analysis of variance indicated presence of significant difference for all the traits under different concentration of PEG (-0.3 MPa, -0.6 MPa and -0.9 MPa) besides control. With increase in concentration of PEG, significant reduction in germination percentage, root length and shoot length was noted as compared to control which ultimately leads to reduction in vigor index. Under stress condition, there is always decrease in root and shoot length but genotypes showing less relative reduction are considered as water stress / drought tolerant. In the present investigation, genotypes like Samrat, KL 4, Banka Local, LGG 524, MH 921, HUM 16 and Pusa Vishal depicted higher values for all the mentioned trait under reduced water potential hence can be utilised as parents for hybridization for drought tolerance breeding programme.