Genetic Variability, Traits Association and Path Analysis of Recombinant Inbred Lines in Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek)

Abstract

To estimate the genetic variability, characters association and path analysis for the various characters, the characters of 39 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were evaluated from pre-monsoon season crops cultivated in 2024 at the Department of Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw. The experimental design was a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences in all traits among the studied RILs, indicating that the tested RILs were genetically distinct. The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for seed yield plant-1. The high estimates of heritability were recorded for plant height, number of pods plant-1, pod length, 100 seed weight and yield plant-1. High genetic advance as a percentage of mean along with high heritability was observed for plant height, number of pods plant-1 and yield plant-1. The correlation of yield plant-1 was positive and significant at phenotypic and genotypic level with characters viz., plant height, number of pods plant-1 and number of seeds pod-1. Path analysis revealed that at genotypic level, the traits with high positive direct effect on seed yield were number of pods plant-1 followed by number of seeds pod-1, plant height, 100 seed weight and day to 50% flowering. Hence, these traits should be prioritized to enhance yield in mungbean through genotype selection. The study confirmed substantial genetic variability among RILs providing a strong base for mungbean improvement.