CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNGBEAN (VIGNA-RADIATA (L) WILCZEK) GENOTYPES FOR YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Seventy seven mungbean genotypes collected from different Asian countries were evaluated on yield and yield components in relation to phenological characteristics. Growth period of the genotypes ranged from 61 to 87 days. Based on the days to maturity, the genotypes were grouped into early, medium and late. Flowering period was between 29 to 38 days. Mean air temperature during the growth period of the genotypes was around 24 to 25 degrees C. The cumulative air temperature ranged from 1481 to 2210 degrees C. The solar radiation was between 12 to 13 MJ/m(2). There were large variations among the genotypes for seed yield per plant (5.3 g to 29.9 g). Seed yield had a close significant relationship with seeds per plant than 100-seed weight. Seeds per plant related more closely to pods per plant than seeds per pod. Other yield components without seeds per plant and pods per plant were not significantly associated with yield. 100-seed weight had negative significant relationship with seeds per plant and pods per plant. Seeds per plant and pods per plant had significant relationship with plant height and number of main branch per plant. Harvest index (HI) was also significantly related with yield. Therefore, it is considered that selection of genotypes with higher pods per plant, higher seeds per plant and higher HI is effective for breeding of high yielding genotypes. It is clear from the growth status in this experiment that, this crop can be successfully cultivated in the West-Southern part of Japan during summer.