Gene Action Studies for Yield and its Related Traits by using Generation Mean Analysis in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Background: Mungbean is one of the most important legume crop with high nutritional value and is consumed in various forms in different parts of India. In order to meet its growing demand, there is a need to increase the yield through adoption of breeding approaches like heterosis breeding and breeding for high yielding varieties. This demands a critical study of the gene action involved in regulation of yield and yield attributing traits which can be achieved through generation mean analysis. Methods: In the present study, generation mean analysis was undertaken using five parameter model to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene action of yield and its component traits in six crosses of greengram. Result: Magnitude of dominance gene effect was reported to be higher than additive gene effect in most of the crosses. Either one or both the interaction components were found significant for all the traits besides number of branches per plant and hundred seed weight. It was evident from the study that the yield components could be improved by exploiting both additive and non-additive gene effects. The transgressive segregants thus produced will prompt the development of desirable high yielding genotypes.