Generation mean analysis to estimate the genetic parameters for yield improvement and inheritance of seed colour and lusture in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

In the present study, generation mean analysis and chi-square test were undertaken to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene action for yield and its component traits; and inheritance pattern of seed colour and lustre in two crosses of mungbean viz Sona/DMS 03-17-2 and Sona/DMS 01-34-2. Scaling and joint scaling tests revealed the presence of one or more kinds of epistatic effects for almost all the agro-morphological traits. The selection of elite lines from delayed generations and subsequent inter mating might be useful approach to recover/develop the high yielding mungbean lines. The elite lines recovered from crosses Sona/DMS 03-17-2 and Sona/DMS 01-34-2 might be superior in terms of early maturity with more number of branches, pods high seed index, biomass and yield. Likewise, crosses i.e. Sona/DMS 03-17-2 for average intermodal length; Sona/DMS 01-34-2 for NSP; may give opportunity to isolate transgressive segregants in advanced generations. There was also a possibility to recover the yellow and shiny seeded mungbean lines due to its monogenic inheritance of seed coat colour and lusture.