Genetic and Genomic Approaches for Improvement in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is a short-duration pulse crop extensively grown in South and South East Asian countries. Cultivated mungbean is self-pollinating, diploid (2n = 2x = 22) species of the subgenus, Ceratotropis, in the Leguminosae genus, Vigna (tribe, Phaseoleae; family, Fabaceae). Mungbean seeds are a good source of dietary protein (24–28%) and contain higher levels of folate and iron than most other legumes. Besides high protein, seeds contain 1.0–1.5% oil, 3.5–4.5% fibre, 4.5–5.5% ash and 62–65% carbohydrates (dry weight basis). Seeds can be processed into sprouts, flour, soups, porridge, noodles and ice cream, making it highly versatile for human diet and forage and haulms as cattle feed. Roots enable atmospheric nitrogen fixation (58–109 kg/ha) in symbiotic association with Rhizobium bacteria, leading to improved soil fertility and texture. Intercropping mungbean in rice–rice and rice–wheat systems increases the yield of the subsequent cereal crop, reduces pest incidence and smother weed flora appreciably. On account of short duration and photo-thermo insensitivity, they are considered excellent crop for crop intensification or diversification and can be dubbed as remunerative cash crop. India is also the world’s largest producer of mungbean, accounting for over 50% of the global annual production (approx. six million tons), followed by China, Myanmar and Indonesia. Development of disease-resistant, short-duration and photo-thermo insensitive varieties of these crops during the last three decades has further helped in expanding the area of these crops to newer niches and cropping systems.