Successful Interspecific hybridization between mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and ricebean [V. umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi]

Successful interspecific hybridization between several cultivars of mungbean (Vigna radiata) and ricebean (V. umbellata) was achieved using mungbean as the female parent. Hybridization was not achieved if ricebean was used as the female parent. Seeds of hybrids were viable and grew and developed normally, producing viable seeds. The gene action of all observed quantitative characters was partially dominant, implying that it should be possible to produce stable hybrids. The progeny had desirable characteristics of both parents suggesting that interspecific hybridization of the two species could be used to produce a new, superior cultivar.