Mungbean, a climate-resilient legume, encounters productivity obstacles owing to escalating abiotic stresses. This investigation evaluated 35 genotypes in the arid Rajasthan’s region to evaluate the genetic variability of 17 yield and stress-adaptive characters. The study aimed to identify high-performing genotypes exhibiting superior drought tolerance and yield potential, providing pivotal data to facilitate the development of climate-smart varieties and bolster food security in water-constrained environments. A total of thirty-five mungbean genotypes were assessed through a randomized block experimental design, with three replications conducted across four distinct environments at SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan, during the summer of 2019 and the Kharif season of 2019-20. Standard agronomic practices were implemented throughout the evaluation process. Furthermore, genetic parameters were estimated via variance component analysis utilizing R-software, following established quantitative genetic methodologies. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes across all the evaluated traits. Particularly noteworthy was the substantial variation observed in stress-responsive parameters, including membrane stability index, proline content, and relative water content. The genotypes exhibited high levels of both genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation for proline content, biological yield, and harvest index. Furthermore, traits such as days to maturity, plant height, number of pods per plant, membrane stability index, proline content, biological yield, harvest index, and seed yield exhibited high heritability estimates coupled with a high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, suggesting that additive gene action governs these characters and selection would be effective. The superior performing genotypes encompassed GM-4, RMG-344, and RMG-62. Notably, genotypes such as IC-52081, IC-52087, and GM-4 recorded high proline content and membrane stability index, which are indicative of enhanced drought tolerance. Additionally, SML-832 exhibited the highest relative water content, indicating better water retention under limited moisture conditions.
Kumar et al. (Mon,) studied this question.