Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012.
**Present address: Plant Breeding Department, JNKVV, Jabalpur.
*Part of thesis submitted to P. G. School, IARI, New Delhi by A. S. Tiwari in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Ph.D. degree.
Ten elite genotype of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) were evaluated in the F1 and F2 generation for protein and methionine content. The mean values of the F1’s and F2’s fell mostly in the same range as that of mid-parent for protein content. Three F1’s exhibited limited positive heterosis (6–14⋅5%) for protein content. Predominantly additive gene action was indicated, ‘J 781’, ‘Khargone-1’ and ‘BR’-2 being good general combiners.
For methionine content of flour as well as % methionine in protein, three crosses showed substantial heterosis over mid-parent ranging from 54–86%; these three crosses did not differ from the mid-parent for protein content. Additive as well as non-additive gene action were equally important for this character. The presence of non-additive component is supported by consisiderable heterosis exhibited by some crosses over mid-parent followed by inbreeding depression. The parent ‘B-l’ was found to be a good general combiner for methionine content.
