Evaluation of Mungbean Varieties for Adaptation to Rice-Based Cropping Systems and Profitability in North-West Cambodia

Two varieties of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) are most commonly grown in Battambang Province North-West Cambodia: KPS-2 (Thailand); and DX-208 (Vietnam). From the buyer’s point of view, the ideal variety would have large shiny seeds and from the farmer’s point of view, resistance to pod-shattering for single-pick or mechanical harvesting is a priority. KPS-2 has resistance to pod-shattering but small seeds and DX-208 has large seeds but has pods that shatter readily. The ideal variety would have both traits. This study evaluated 17 released mungbean varieties from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia for grain yield, seed weight and resistance to pod-shattering in a series of experiments from 2019 to 2021. In 2019, the four Cambodian varieties were evaluated alongside 11 Australian public varieties. Five of the Australian varieties were rejected because of low seed weight, dull seed coat and unacceptable color. Cambodian variety CMB-1 was rejected because of dull seed coat and indeterminate maturity. In 2021, the six remaining Australian varieties were re-evaluated together with locally grown varieties (DX-208, KPS-2) and Cambodian varieties (CARDI Chey, CMB-2 and CMB-3). The seed weight for Emerald was very similar to that for DX-208. Seed weights for CARDI Chey, CMB-3, King and Shantung were not significantly different to KPS-2. In laboratory testing for resistance to pod shattering, Delta, Emerald and KPS-2 were the most resistant and DX-208 was the most susceptible to pod shattering. The Australian varieties Delta and Emerald are recommended for further testing across other mungbean growing regions of Cambodia before submission for registration and commercial release.