Combining ability, heterotic grouping and patterning of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] lines for high seed yield

An investigation was done to study the combining ability, heterotic grouping and patterning of mungbean lines using diallel analysis. The parents viz DMS-03-17-2 (for days to maturity, primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, seeds per pod, seed index, harvest index, seed yield per plant); IPM-2K-14-9 (for plant height); Meha (for primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, average intermodal length, pod length, seeds per pod & seed yield per plant); DMS-01-34-2 (for secondary branches per plant & seed index) and SML 1151 (for seed index) were found best general combiners, whereas crosses namely IPM-2K-14-9/ DMS 03-17-2 (for plant height), SML 1151/ DMS 01-34-2 (seed index) and SML 1151/ Meha, IPM-2K-14-9/ Meha, IPM-2K-14-9/ DMS 03-17-2 & Meha/ DMS 01-34-2 (for seed yield/ plant) were top specific combiners and heterotic for respective traits. The pattern of heterotic grouping based on seed size and yield indicated that, heterosis was not only dependent upon the genetic distance between clusters; diversity within group was also showing remarkable heterosis.