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Maize (Zea mays L.), a multi-utility cereal crop, has a high requirement for nitrogen (N). However, conventional N application methods fail to achieve potential yield and contribute to environmental pollution. Thus, a 2-year (2022 and 2023) field investigation was conducted to understand the effect of sub-surface drip-fertigation (SSDF) and legume residue incorporation (3 t ha−1) on improving maize yield, uptake, remobilization, and use-efficiency of N. Four N levels, viz., 0, 50, 75, and 100% recommended dose of N (RDN) applied in 3-splits (3S) and 4-splits (4S), were compared with conventional maize cultivation, fertilized with 150 kg N ha−1 (CMC-N150). Variable N fertigation with SSDF significantly affected the dry matter (DM) and N remobilization from leaves towards kernel; at lower doses of N maize tended to mobilize higher DM and N towards kernel. Better growth, higher nutrient uptake, and better remobilization efficiency of DM/N led to higher grain yield under 75% RDN (19–23% increase) and 100% RDN (20–25% increase) sub-surface drip-fertigated, compared to CMC-N150. Using 50% RDN through SSDF yielded grain on par with CMC-N150, thus saving 50% N. Moreover, applying N in 4-splits (4S) gave 3–5% yield advantage over 3-splits. Partial factor productivity of N (PFPN) and agronomic N-use efficiency (AEN) of different SSDF treatments increased by 18–100% and 40–99%, respectively over CMC-N150. Greengram residue incorporation improved maize yield by 5–8%, PFPN by 4–5% over no-residue incorporation. Overall, there was a 25–50% N economy with concomitant yield improvement under SSDF over conventional N management. The SSDF coupled with legume residue incorporation could be a promising technology for enhancing N-use efficiency globally; however, it needs policy support for adoption in the producer's field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bruchid beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) is one of the devastating field carry over storage pest causing a huge crop loss, especially in greengram. The pre-breeding lines were developed by crossing between a cultivated variety, VBN (Gg) 2 and Vigna radiata var. sublobata, a progenitor species of greengram used as a resistant parent against bruchid. Methods: A total of 53 stabilized inter sub-specific lines along with parents were screened for bruchid resistance by ‘no choice’ method with two replications. Screening parameters were recorded for all the 53 lines and were statistically analysed. Damage assessment was carried out and the three resistant lines obtained during initial screening was further confirmed. Result: The low seed damage per cent was observed in three lines viz., GGISC-2 (18.00), GGISC-21 (20.00) and GGISC-49 (14.00). The susceptibility index was 0.048, 0.049 and 0.048 in GGISC-2, GGISC-21 and GGISC-49, respectively and hence, classified as bruchid resistant. Delayed adult emergence, uneven adult emergence, prolonged developmental period, small and malformed adults were the other parameters observed in resistant lines. The three resistant lines identified could be further utilized in the breeding programmes for the development of bruchid resistant varieties in greengram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse production in Old Alluvial Zone, Malda is significantly low compared to their potentiality due to poor cultivation practices and adoption of traditional varieties by the farmers. Cluster Frontline Demonstration, which is a noble tool, was studied during 2017–2019 in two pulses viz. blackgram (var. PU-31) and greengram (var. PDM-139) to evaluate its impacts on technology adoption and bridge the gaps in yields among potential, demonstration, and farmers' plots. In this study, variation of technology index (TI) was observed between 23.6–32.33% and 26.07–31.67% for blackgram and greengram, respectively; whereas extension yield gaps varied by 458.0–522.0 kg ha−1 and 462.0–508.0 kg ha−1, respectively. It was inferred that blackgram and greengram productivity can be enhanced by 76.46–90.43% and 82.06–84.53%, respectively, by adopting an improved package of farm technologies. The BCR (benefit–cost ratio) of blackgram and greengram in demonstration plots varied between 1.99–2.18 and 2.03–2.61, respectively; whereas in farmers' plots they were 1.38–1.56 and 1.39–1.82, respectively, i.e., average BCR enhanced by 41.61% and 44.57% in demonstration plots over farmers' plots of blackgram and greengram, respectively, by adopting improved production technologies. During 2017–19, improved production technology in demonstration plots increased the average water usage efficiency of blackgram and greengram by 42.25% and 82.79%, respectively. The yield variations between farmers' plots and demonstration plots were statistically significant at p ≤.01 significance level. It is hypothesized that CFLDs are quite feasible and have enormous potential to enhance blackgram and greengram productivity in prevailing farming situations of socio-economically poor farming communities of this region in a sustainable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Narrow genetic base and lack of exploitable variation have become a major constraint for yield improvement in greengram. Identifying genetically superior parents and breeding scheme to be adopted become a pre-requisite for the development of elite cultivars. Thereby, blending the knowledge on gene action and combining ability plays a key role. Materials: Combining ability analysis was carried out in twenty-five crosses derived out of Line x Tester mating design using 5 lines and 5 testers. The hybrids, parents and the check variety were evaluated in a RBD with two replications and ten quantitative characters were recorded. Result: Non-additive gene action was found to be prevalent for the quantitative traits observed. Exploring the per se and gca effects, COGG13-39 and VGG18-002 were adjudged as the best parents and the crosses involving above parents will be productive for synthesizing a dynamic population with superior recombinants. Meanwhile, exploring the per se, sca and heterosis, the best specific crosses identified for seed yield/plant and pods per plant were, V2709 x GAM5 and COGG13-39 x VGG16-058. They can be further exploited to obtain transgressive segregants for higher yield, bold seeds and bruchid resistance through appropriate breeding strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is the third most important pulse crop. One of the main factors limiting its production and productivity is drought, in different growth stages of the crop. Drought stress at the seedling stage of greengram influences their adaptation at the early crop establishment phase. In this study, 200 pre-breeding lines derived from VBN(Gg) 2 X Vigna radiata var.sublobata/2 of greengram were evaluated for drought stress by in vitro screening, using Poly ethylene glycol (PEG 6000) at -0.5MPa stress level. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes, treatments and interactions for the evaluated seedling traits and stress indices, suggesting a high variability for drought tolerance in pre- breeding lines. A total of eleven tolerant and six susceptible lines were selected based on seedling vigour index, > 900.00 and < 220.00, respectively during initial screening and independent confirmation screening was carried out. The results of the present study revealed that the pre-breeding lines viz., GGISC 45, GGISC 41, GGISC 132, GGISC 125, GGISC 116, GGISC 55, GGISC 147, GGISC 17, GGISC 73, GGISC 49 and GGISC 37 were recorded with high seedling vigour index along with significant stress indices and identified as tolerant for drought. These identified tolerant lines can be further evaluated under rain-out shelter to assess their ability to withstand drought. Subsequently, the promising lines can be used for the development of drought tolerant varieties in greengram.

This article presents the findings of a study on the resistance of different genotypes/varieties of greengram to the spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata. The study categorized the genotypes/varieties based on larval population and pod damage, and found that four of them were resistant to M. vitrata. The study also measured grain yield and found that one genotype, VSGG 9, had the highest yield. The authors suggest that screening for resistance is an effective way to identify resistant genotypes/varieties. The article provides valuable information on the challenges posed by insect pests to greengram cultivation in India. [Extracted from the article]

DNA markers were used to characterize the genetic diversity among the germplasm and considered as a promising tool for better understanding of genetic relatedness among the cross derivatives and helps in exploitation of greengram germplasm. The degree of polymorphism exhibited by amplified SSR markers was 50 per cent reflecting the high genetic diversity among the germplasm with 2.47 alleles per marker. The dendrogram based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic average (UPGMA) hierarchical clustering pattern revealed the 37 genotypes into eight major clusters. All the cultivated genotypes of greengram were grouped together (I), wild progenitor species Vigna radiata var. sublobata/2 and its derivatives were grouped together (II), whereas all other wild species formed into a separate group (III). The clustering pattern observed in the present study revealed the high level of molecular variability and could be used in the improvement of greengram and determines the genetic relationship among the germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is growing two or more crop species simultaneously, different canopy architectures by row configuration, changing light interception, radiation utilisation, and increased yield. The present study aimed to evaluate different intercropping systems affected light interception per cent and radiation use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping with greengram (Vigna radiata L.) different ratios. Field experiments were conducted for Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 seasons, which were laid out in a split-plot design and replicated three times. Three Nitrogen levels viz., N1 - 75 % RDN (Recommended dose of Nitrogen), N2 - 100% RDN, N3-125% RDN had taken as the main plot and three intercropping treatments were taken as subplot viz., M2G2 - replacement series (two row of maize and two row of Greengram), M4G2- replacement series (four rows of maize and two row of Greengram), M2G3-paired row system (two rows of maize and three rows of Greengram), and sole maize. Both light interception and radiation use efficiency were significantly affected by intercropping systems. Light interception per cent of the main crop (maize) was significantly higher (69.0, 75.5 and 71.0 % during Kharif and 60.1, 78.1 and 76.6 during rabi) at vegetative, flowering and maturity phases, respectively. The Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 maximum Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) of Maize intercropping with green gram (maize + greengram) was higher in T12 (M2G3 paired row with 125 % Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) recorded as 2.46 (Kharif) and 1.43 (rabi). The outcome might be utilised to optimise the row configuration of intercropping design, explain the mechanism of intercropping on light utilisation, and improve radiation use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty mungbean genotypes were evaluated for fourteen quantitative traits, planted in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Mahalanobis' generalised distance D² was used to assess the character data and Principal Component Analysis for estimating genetic diversity and identification of superior mungbean genotypes. Following Tocher's technique, the 40 genotypes were divided into 7 clusters in accordance with their genetic distance. Among them four clusters were polygenotypic and three were monogenotypic. The genotypes of cluster IV and VII showed highest (40.51) inter cluster distance followed by cluster III and VII (39.04). Cluster V has been discovered to have the largest intra-cluster distance. In order to increase the genetic diversity of Vigna radiata, genotypes from these clusters may be crossed. Based on Principal Component Analysis results, 5 PCs explained 75.87% of the variation among the 14 parameters and had eigen values greater than unit. Only six genotypes—TJM-37, TJM-134, TJM-140, TJM-235, Shikha, and PM-1632—contained with favourable yield and quality associated PCs, and had outstanding remark for yield traits—out of all genotypes contributing their existence in more than one PC with high PC score. These lines may be used in hybridization programmes to transmit desirable features, such as high yield and high quality, to recipient mungbean genotypes, resulting in the creation of promising cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was undertaken to obtain information on the nature and extent of genetic diversity among 60 greengram genotypes for yield related traits and quality traits by using Mahalanobis’s D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into eleven clusters. Cluster I was found to be the largest with 38 genotypes followed by cluster V with 13 genotypes and all the other clusters were found to be solitary, each containing a single genotype. Clusters VIII and XI had the maximum inter-cluster distance, followed by clusters IV and XI. Cluster XI had the highest mean values for yield and other yield attributing traits. Iron content contributed high towards total genetic diversity followed by protein content and test weight. Based on the mean performance and diversity studies, the genotypes COGG 18-17, LGG 460, Daftri vikas and IPM 1603-3 were found to be the best for further yield improvement in greengram. Utilizing the genotypes from the more divergent clusters as parents in breeding programmes will yield relatively good amount of heterosis in F1 and high frequency of transgressive segregants and genetic variability in subsequent generations can be acquired.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an important food legume crop which contributes significantly to nutritional and food security of South and Southeast Asia. The crop thrives in hot and humid weather conditions, with an optimal temperature range of 28°-35°C, and is mainly cultivated under rainfed environments. However, the rising global temperature has posed a serious threat to mungbean cultivation. Optimal temperature is a vital factor in cellular processes, and every crop species has evolved with its specific temperature tolerance ability. Moreover, variation within a crop species is inevitable, given the diverse environmental conditions under which it has evolved. For instance, various mungbean germplasm can grow and produce seeds in extreme ambient temperatures as low as 20°C or as high as 45°C. This range of variation in mungbean germplasm for heat tolerance plays a crucial role in developing heat tolerant and high yielding mungbean cultivars. However, heat tolerance is a complex mechanism which is extensively discussed in this manuscript; and at the same time individual genotypes have evolved with various ways of heat stress tolerance. Therefore, to enhance understanding towards such variability in mungbean germplasm, we studied morphological, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical traits which are responsive to heat stress in plants with more relevance to mungbean. Understanding heat stress tolerance attributing traits will help in identification of corresponding regulatory networks and associated genes, which will further help in devising suitable strategies to enhance heat tolerance in mungbean. The major pathways responsible for heat stress tolerance in plants are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty four genotypes of greengram were investigated under four different environments in a randomised block design with three replications during the year 2021. Eberhart and Russell’s model was carried out which revealed significant G × E interaction for all the traits, indicating the differential response of genotypes to changing environments. The linear and non-linear G × E components were significant for majority of the characters, suggesting the presence of both predictable and non-predictable components. The genotypes viz., VMG-66, VMG-39, VMG-79, VMG-97 and GM 6 were found to be stable and high yielding across the environments. These genotypes were also found stable for two or three other yield contributing component traits. It can be inferred from the stability analysis that none of the genotype was noticed to be ideal with greater adaptability for all the characters.

The present investigation was executed under field conditions that favour normal growth and expression for all descriptors. A collection of 40 mungbean genotypes were characterised for 21 agro-morphological traits during the summer 2021 and 2022. The experimental material was evaluated in three replications in RCBD and observations were recorded as per DUS guidelines. The phenotypic assessment showed polymorphism for the characters such as hypocotyl anthocyanin coloration, stem colour, leaf shape, leaf colour, leaf vein colour, petiole colour, flower petal colour, pod position, pod colour, pod curvature, seed colour, seed size etc. Some special character including yellow seed colour of local germplasm ‘yellow-mung’ diversified the crop. Furthermore, an increased number of leaflet viz. quadrifoliate and pentafoliate compound leaf variations were also observed rather than the normal trifoliate compound leaf of mungbean. The standard descriptors can be used as a marker to characterize the crop species for utilization of germplasm and conservation programmes.

The objective of the study is to determine the genetic relationships and diversity among 20 genotypes of greengram. Ten randomly chosen decamers in total were screened, and all of them were amplified. There were 1071 amplified bands in total, 110 of which were polymorphic, 10.27 percent polymorphism was the average. The band size of the final PCR-amplified products varied from 100 bp to 1000 bp. According to the presence or absence of unique alleles were found in sixteen genotypes of greengram. The values of the Jaccard’s similarity coefficient for RAPD primers ranged from 0.0 to 0.5. The majority of the genotypes were divided into six major clusters based on the dendrogram produced by using the UPGMA method. The genetic distance between genotypes VRM-1 and MH 421was the smallest, while the genetic distance between genotypes CO 1 and CO 8, VBN 3 and CO 2 (99%) was the greatest.Hence, these findings provides valuable information for molecular classification and marker-assisted breeding for crop improvement in the Vigna germplasm pool.

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an important food legume crop which contributes significantly to nutritional and food security of South and Southeast Asia. The crop thrives in hot and humid weather conditions, with an optimal temperature range of 28°–35°C, and is mainly cultivated under rainfed environments. However, the rising global temperature has posed a serious threat to mungbean cultivation. Optimal temperature is a vital factor in cellular processes, and every crop species has evolved with its specific temperature tolerance ability. Moreover, variation within a crop species is inevitable, given the diverse environmental conditions under which it has evolved. For instance, various mungbean germplasm can grow and produce seeds in extreme ambient temperatures as low as 20°C or as high as 45°C. This range of variation in mungbean germplasm for heat tolerance plays a crucial role in developing heat tolerant and high yielding mungbean cultivars. However, heat tolerance is a complex mechanism which is extensively discussed in this manuscript; and at the same time individual genotypes have evolved with various ways of heat stress tolerance. Therefore, to enhance understanding towards such variability in mungbean germplasm, we studied morphological, anatomical, physiological, and biochemical traits which are responsive to heat stress in plants with more relevance to mungbean. Understanding heat stress tolerance attributing traits will help in identification of corresponding regulatory networks and associated genes, which will further help in devising suitable strategies to enhance heat tolerance in mungbean. The major pathways responsible for heat stress tolerance in plants are also discussed.

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies together affect a greater number of human populations in the world than does protein malnutrition. Organic farming is reported to improve nutritional quality of food grains while also improving soil health. However, sufficient scientific information on several aspects of organic farming based on long-term studies is lacking particularly under rainfed conditions of India. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term impact of organic and integrated production systems on crops yield and quality, economic returns and soil properties. The study was conducted with three crops, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.), and greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under three different production systems, control (use of chemical inputs alone), organic and integrated. The results of the 10-year study revealed that, the average production of integrated system was on par with organic management and recorded significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (PEY) (827 kg ha−1) compared to control (chemical inputs) (748 kg ha−1). In general, the yield gap between organic and integrated production systems declined from fourth year for greengram and eighth year for sunflower, during the 10-year experimental period whereas the pigeonpea yield was similar under both production systems from first year. Plots under organic management had significantly lower bulk density (1.18 mg m−3), higher water holding capacity (38.72%) and porosity (53.79%) compared to integrated production system and control (chemical inputs). The soil organic C (SOC) content in the plots under organic production system was 32.6% more than the initial organic carbon of the soil (0.43%), with higher soil N (205.2 kg ha−1). Plots under integrated production system, however, had higher soil P (26.5 kg ha−1) compared with other treatments. The dehydrogenase activity (5.86 μg TPF g−1 soil h−1) and microbial biomass carbon (317.3 μg g−1 soil) content was higher in the plots under organic production system than under other systems. Organically produced pigeonpea and greengram seeds had similar protein content with that of integrated system, and higher K and micronutrient (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) contents than other treatments. The results show the potential of organic production system in improving crop yields, soil properties and produce quality in semiarid rainfed areas.