INHERITANCE OF LODGING COMPONENTS IN MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA (L.) WILCZEK)

Inheritance of lodging related traits in mungbean i.e., average inter-nodal length and average circumference of the main stem were studied using Triple Test Cross (TTC) technique. Both traits showed highly significant differences among treatments and between first (P-1) and second parent (P-2) of a cross ML-5 x Ramzan used as third tester in the TTC combination. The traits showed significant total epistasis. (i, and j + l types). Additive x additive (i type) interactions were non-significant whereas additive x dominance and dominance x dominance (j and l types) interactions were highly significant for both traits. This shows the complex nature of inheritance of lodging components in mungbean. Diverse genetic background of lines is indicated by the significant epistatic effect contributed by individual lines for average inter-nodal length and average circumference of the main stem. In case of average inter-nodal length, the genotypes Var. 6601 and Chakwal 97 contributed major portion of negative and positive non-allelic interaction, respectively, to the total epistasis of average inter-nodal length. Genotypes NFM 13-1 and NM 92 imparted major portion of positive and negative non-allelic interaction, respectively to total epistasis of average circumference of the main stem. Improvement in mungbean lodging resistance through breeding for short inter-nodal length and thick/more circumference of the main stem, bi-parental hybridization between suitable recombinants in F-2 generation is suggested to produce better genetic combinations through which the accumulations of desired genes could be achieved for selection in advanced generation.