MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA (L.) R. WILCZEK)

Abstract

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is versatile crop mainly grown in subtropical regions with wide-ranging agricultural and nutritional benefits. Despite being the largest producer in the world, the productivity of mungbean is well below in India due to limited morphological variability observed in working collection of mungbean. In the present investigation, we have conducted morphological characterization and multivariate analysis to explore the genetic diversity among the 26 genotypes of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek). These 26 accessions of mungbean procured from the Pulses Research Station, SDAU, Gujarat, and local markets were grown for evaluation in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications during June to August 2021. Morphological observations recorded at different stages of life for the grown genotypes. Significant variations observed in morphological traits of different genotypes. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis discriminated following genotypes such as VM, GM-6, SKNM-1608, SKNM-1701, SKNM-1704, SKNM-1801, SKNM-1802, SKNM-1806, and SKNM-1808 based on the morphological observations noted above. These genotypes can be recommended to use as parent for further plant breeding programmes to develop new variety and conduct field trials for different locations and climates.