Agronomic Performance and Sprouting Quality of Improved Mungbean Lines in Myanmar

Mungbean is a pulse crop of economic importance in Myanmar. The susceptibility of current grown mungbean varieties to the Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Disease (MYMD), utilized in the high premium-sprout market segment, is a major concern. Field-testing of seven improved mungbean lines across six locations in Bago and Yangon regions ensued in the post monsoon season of 2021–2022 and across four locations in Magway, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay regions in the monsoon season of 2022. Two promising lines (AVMU 1688 and AVMU 1690), with known resistance to all known species of the viruses causing MYMD, were further tested during the pre-monsoon season of 2023 and confirmed for resistance to the MYMD. Both lines showed good performance for seed yield per plant (9.70–10.57 g/plant) and were early maturing (62–63 days) during the monsoon season. AVMU 1688 showed with sprouting quality similar to Yezin -1 and the commercial reference standard. The seed color and luster (green and shiny) also meet the market requirements of the grain market segment. Both AVMU 1688 and AVMU 1690 lines may proceed to testing for potential release as a variety or could serve as donor parents for resistance to MYMD in the National Breeding Program.