Genetic variability studies for yield and yield attributes in F2 populations of interspecific crosses of mungbean (Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek) and rice bean (Vigna umbellata Thunb.)

The natural variability available in green gram including seed yield is very limited because of its high self fertilization behavior. In order to widen the genetic base in mungbean, interspecific hybridization with closely related species is one of the means to enhance genetic variability. In the present study, interspecific hybridization between Vigna radiata (mungbean) and Vigna umbellata (rice bean) was effected under green house condition during Kharif-2017. The F2 populations derived from these interspecific crosses (KKM-3 × KBR-1 and KKM-3 × RBL-6) were evaluated for yield and yield attributing traits. The genetic variability parameters viz., PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent over mean were computed for ten yield attributing traits including seed yield. Significant variability exsisted for all the traits studied. In both the populations studied, days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity and 100 seed weight showed moderate to low PCV and GCV whereas days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity exhibited high heritability coupled with moderate to low genetic advance. The trait 100 seed weight exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant recorded high PCV, high GCV and high broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance.