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EXPLOITATION OF EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS MUNGBEAN GERMPLASM FOR IMPROVING SEED YIELD AND DISEASE RESISTANCE

MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUE SADIQ, SAJJAD HAIDAR* GHULAM ABBAS, TARIQ MAHMUD SHAH AND BABAR MANZOOR ATTA

Abstract: Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important short duration kharif pulse crop in Pakistan. To enhance genetic variability for large seed size, hybridization between exotic and indigenous germplasm was initiated at Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad in 1980 to improve the yield potential. F₁ were irradiated and top crosses were also made. The improvement programme has culminated in the development of large seeded varieties with high yield potential i.e., NM-51, NM-54, NM-92 and NM-98. A new high yielding, having large seed size and disease resistance mungbean variety i.e., NIAB MUNG 2006 has been approved during 2006 by the Punjab Seed Council for general cultivation in the irrigated tract of the Punjab province. Due to high yield potential, short duration and disease resistance, these varieties were adopted at a faster rate and are grown on 90% of mungbean acreage in the country thus curtailing mungbean import and enhancing mungbean production in the country. The achievements of mungbean improvement programme are discussed.

Mutation Breeding Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan.