Interspecific crosses among different cultivated and wild species of genus Vigna were attempted involving mung bean V. radiata (L) var. radiata Wilczek), V. radiata (L) var. sublobata (Roxb.) Verde., urad bean V. mungo (L) Hepper) and wild progenitor V. mungo (L) var. silvestris Lukoki Marechal and Otoul. The reciprocal crosses were simultaneously attempted in each cases and vice-versa. Several other crosses between V. radiata var. sublobata and V. trilobata Ait. and also with rice bean N. umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi were performed. Successful crosses were established between niung bean with its wild putative progenitor form V. radiata var. sublobata. Fertile F1 hybrids were also successfully produced from crosses involving urad bean with its closely allied species V. mungo var. silvestris. Interestingly, mung bean when used as a female parent in the cross combinations involving var. sublobata and var. silvestris independently, exhibited considerable cross compatibility. The results clearly suggest that above allied taxa fall into the primary genepools and do not possessgenetic barriers. V. umbellata exhibited cross incompatibility barriers when crossed with V. radiata var. sublobata. The reasons for failure of crosses have been critically analysed deriving evidential support from several other investigations. The paper presents a comprehensive review on the inter specific-hylwidization to identify closely related genepools of Asiatic species of Vigna based on crossability studies.
