1Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
2Sugarcane Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Melalathur-635 806, Tamil Nadu, India
3Department of Crop Physiology, Crop Management Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
4Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli-620 009, Tamil Nadu, India
5Directorate of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
6Department of Pulses, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
7Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding Author: R. Sudhagar, Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: sudhagar.r@tnau.ac.in, Orcids: 0009-0009-6457-7806; 0009-0003-6253-5190; 0000-0001-6941-9940; 0009-0007-8079-2560; 0000-0002-3474-6412; 0000-0002-8803-7662; 0000-0002-1403-4741; 0000-0002-6326-3014
Online published on 22 July, 2025.
Horse gram is an underutilized legume but possesses multi-utilities. The narrower genetic base warrants targeted crop improvement attempts. Induced mutagenesis evolved a few promising mutants for yield whose breeding potency through multiple environment experiments (MEEs) was assessed.
The stability of the high-yielding mutants was assessed through MEEs (six environments in two cropping years) using multiple trait-based selection indices (SIs). The coincidence index was utilized to identify the most common stable genotypes identified by SIs. The effectiveness of the SIs was assessed using the selection differential (SDs).
The multi trait-based SIs namely MGIDI, FAI-BLUP and SH index facilitated the selection of superior and stable horse gram mutant genotypes. The results of both preliminary (PT) and confirmatory trials (CT) were analysed using the coincidence index and identified the most common stable mutant genotypes G1, G3, G27 and G22. Based on the SDs for yield-related traits, it is inferred that the SI MGIDI can be relied upon to enhance the genetic gain for yield-associated traits improvement. The SIs, FAI-BLUP and the SH shall be utilized to improve growth-related traits in horse gram.
FAI-BLUP, Horse gram, MGIDI, Selection index, Smith-hazel, Stability
