SCREENING OF MUNGBEAN GENOTYPES FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Fifteen mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes were screened for drought tolerance under laboratory condition using laboratory condition using PEG 6000. The genotypes showed reduction in all the growth parameters under water stress except root dry weight in some of the genotypes. Screening of genotypes based on single morphological parameter appears to be limiting due to inconsistency in growth responses of different seedling parts are more affected than other, parts of the same seedling in response to drought. However, tolerance index which is the ratio of dry weight of seedling under stress to dry weight of seedling under control is a more stable character and can be considered as a useful toot to screen drought tolerant genotypes.