Genetic Variation and Character Association Studies for Seed Yield and its Attributes in Diverse Panel of Mungbean Genotypes [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is one among the most important and oldest cultivated pulse crop of the world grown in different seasons. The present investigation was carried out to access variability, correlation, path coefficients and cluster analysis for better understanding of genetic architecture of seed yield and its attributes in mungbean. Methods: The experimental material consisted of 142 diverse mungbean genotypes including released varieties from different agro-climatic zones of India and advanced genotypes developed at CCS HAU, Hisar. These genotypes were evaluated at Pulses Research Area, CCS HAU, Hisar during kharif 2021 and 2022 in randomized block design with two replications. Each genotype was planted in three rows, each of 4 m length with spacing of 45 cm between the rows and 10 cm between plants. Result: The narrow differences between PCV and GCV indicated that the observed variation primarily stemmed from genetic factors, thereby suggesting ample opportunities for selection. Most of the characters exhibited high heritability with high, moderate or low genetic advance indicating presence of both additive and non-additive gene action, therefore, recombinant breeding in early generations will be beneficial. The correlation and path analysis suggested that selection for traits such as seeds per pod, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight would prove effective in enhancing mungbean seed yield. The hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into eight diverse clusters. Cluster IV was found to have better performing genotypes in terms of yield as well as yield related traits. Overall, genotypes MH 1468, MH 1871, MH 1762, IPM 604-16 and IPM 205-7 were found significantly early in maturity along with high mean values of seed yield and its related traits. As a result, these genotypes can be further used in breeding programmes for mungbean improvement.