GENETIC DIVERSITY IN MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA (L.) WILCZEK GERMPLASM

Genetic diversity was studied in diversified mungbean germplasm by using Metroglyph analysis. Forty mungbean genotypes originating from Pakistan, Thailand and India were used in the present study. Different morphological and economic traits like plant height, clusters per plant, pods per plant, hundred seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index exhibited considerable genetic variability. Metroglyph analysis distributed mungbean genotypes into 8 groups. Group I and II, consisted of only one genotype each and were found to be distant from all other groups. Groups VII and VIII were the largest groups consisting of 10 genotypes each. The range of total mean index score varied from 12.6 to 17.0. Maximum index scores were obtained by groups I, II and III. In all the three groups, biological yield and seed yield contributed more to index scores. Highest index score of 18 was attained by NM 6368(46-40-4) (Genotype No. 13, Group VIII) and VC 3945A (Genotype No. 35, Group VII) followed by Mung-88 (Genotype No. 8, Group II) and VC-3476 (Genotype No. 33, Group III) with index score of 17. Lowest index score of 10 was attained by 3 genotypes viz., KPS-2, VC2984B and NM-94. VC-6369(53-97) (Genotype No. 39, Group I) of Thailand origin and Mung-88 (Genotype No. 8, Group II) of Pakistan origin were identified as the most important genotypes exhibiting an index score of 16 and 17, respectively. On the basis of this grouping it may be concluded that an effective hybridization program may include the genotypes of group I, II, VII and VIII to produce better segregants that may be used for the development of high yielding mungbean varieties.