Assessment of variability for seed yield, component characters and MYMV disease resistance in segregating populations of blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Magnitude of variability in two F2 populations involving Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) disease susceptible (MDU 1) and resistance (Mash 114 and Mash 1008) parents viz., MDU 1 x Mash 114 and MDU 1 x Mash 1008 of blackgram was studied. Magnitude of GCV was high for number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, MYMV disease score at 45 DAS, MYMV disease score at 60 DAS and seed yield per plant in both populations.High heritabilitycoupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recordednumber of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, MYMV disease score at 60 DAS and seed yield per plant in the both the populations. These characters might be controlled by additive gene effects and hence selection will be effective for this character. Skewness revealed that distribution of population wasnegatively skewed for 100-seed weight in both populations. Kurtosis revealed that platykurtic curve was observed for number of seeds per pod in the F2 population of both crosses. Hence, these traits can be improved by directional selection in both populations. Considering the kurtosis for MYMV disease score at 45 DASand 60 DAS, the cross MDU 1 x Mash 1008 had platykurtic nature. Hence selection may be effected in this cross to evolve high yielding MYMV disease resistant variety in blackgram.