Grain Yield in Mungbean (Vigna radiata) is Associated with Spatial Distribution of Root Dry Weight and Volume

Abstract

Root system is an important plant organ affecting yield and the degree of influence of roots on yield in different spatial locations in the soil is different. The aim of this study was to research the spatial distribution characteristics of mung bean root and to analyze the correlation between spatial distribution of root and yield. The roots of mung bean in 0 - 5, 5 - 10, 10 - 15, 15 - 20 and 20 - 25 cm horizontal soil layers and in 0 - 20, 20 - 40, 40 - 60, 60 - 80 and 80 - 100 cm vertical soil layers were collected to analyze spatial distribution characteristics of root volume and root dry weight at full flowering stage and full pod stage. Yield and yield components were measured at maturity. Our study showed that approximately 48.4% - 65.2% of the mung bean root were in 0 - 5 cm horizontal soil layer and about 73.2% - 82.3% were in 0 - 20 cm vertical soil layer. Yield of mung bean exhibited significantly positive correlation with number of pods per plant. The root volume density of mung bean in 20 - 25 cm horizontal soil layer at full flowering stage exhibited significantly positive correlation with yield. These findings could be used to provide scientific basis for cultivating high-yield mung bean varieties with excellent root system.