Research Article
Determining Biological Yield Potential of Different Mungbean Cultivars
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
M. Asghar Malik
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Introduction
Mungbean an important grain legume crop fetches premium over other pulses of the country due to more palatable, highly nutritive, easily digestible and non-flatulent. It is considered a balanced diet when taken in combination with cereals (Considine, 1982) and plays an important role in improving soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. In Pakistan, total area under Mungbean was 196.90 thousand hectares with total grain production of 91.50 thousand tons and average yield 452.63 kg ha1 (Anonymous, 1999).
Low yield ha1 in Pakistan may be attributed to low genetic yield potential of the varieties and also less achieved yield per unit area because of exercising conventional production technology. Hence cultivars performing better in terms of yield are required for improving the seed yield per unit area. Razaq (1995) found that Mung-6601 gave 14.48% higher seed yield than NM-51, NM-54 and NM-92. Higher seed yield was also recorded in NM-21-25 over NM-92, Mung 6601 and NM-19-19 (Hussain, 1996). While NM-96 was found better than NM-94 in terms of yield and yield parameters (Saeed, 1997).
Similarly, in a comparative study of six Mungbean cultivars, NM-92 was found better in terms of yield and yield components.
Amir (1999) also reported that cultivars varied significantly in yield components. Keeping in view the varied potential of different cultivars, it was felt a dire need to compare the yield potential of different Mungbean cultivars, to find the best.
The studies pertaining to determine production efficiency of Mungbean cultivars were conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during autumn of 1999. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and net plot size of 2×5 m2. The Mungbean genotypes included in the experiment were Mung No. 6601, NM-92, NM-98, NARC-Mung-1 and Chakwal Mung-97. The crop was sown on 27th of July with the help of a single row hand drill in 40 cm apart rows using 25 kg seed rate ha1. A basal dose of 30-60 kg NP ha1 was applied in the form of urea and triple super phosphate, respectively. The data on growth and yield parameters were recorded by using the standard procedures. The data were analyzed statistically by Fisher's analysis of variance technique. The least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level was used to test the significance of differences among the treatment means (Steel and Torrie, 1984).
It was observed that different cultivars had significant effect on number of pods per plant (Table 1). Maximum number of pods per plant were observed in NM-98 (28.13) followed by NM-92 (25.35), while the minimum were recorded in NARC-Mung-1 (18.77). It might be due to genetic make up of cultivars. It was observed that number of grains per pod differed significantly among the cultivars. The maximum number of grains per pod were recorded in NM-98 (10.77), which was statistically at par with Chakwal Mung 97 (10.72). Minimum number of grains were recorded in case of cultivar Mung No. 6601 (7.08). These results are in line with those of Razaq (1995) who observed that cultivars differed significantly in number of grains per pod.
Data further revealed that 1000-grain weight was significantly affected by the cultivars. Maximum 1000-grain weight was recorded in NM-92 (52.65 g) followed by NM-98 (40.64 g) while the minimum 1000-grain weight (30.19 g) was recorded in cultivar NARC Mung-1. Zaidi (1998) also concluded that Mungbean cultivars had significant effect on 1000-grain weight.
Data further revealed that biological yield differed significantly among the cultivars. Maximum biological yield was recorded in NM-98 (5785 kg ha1) followed by NM-92 (5352 kg ha1) while the minimum biological yield was obtained in NARC Mung-1 (5065 kg ha1).
These results are in line with Malik et al. (1986), Chaudhry et al. (1994) and Waheed (1996) who observed that cultivars had significant effect on biological yield.
Table 1: | Yield parameters reflecting comparative yield potential of different Mungbean cultivars |
Cultivars had also a significant effect on grain yield NM-98 produced the maximum grain yield (1031 kg ha1). While NARC-Mung-1 produced minimum grain yield (627.50 kg ha1). Higher grain yield in cultivar NM-98 was attributed to more number of pods per plant and number of grains per pod. Bilal (1994) and Hanif (1994) also reported that Mungbean cultivars showed significant differences in grain yield.
Harvest index was also found to be differing significantly in different cultivars. Where NM-98 recorded highest harvest index (17.82%), while minimum harvest index was noted in NARC Mung-1 (12.40%). These results are similar with those of Waheed (1996) and Saeed (1997) who found different Mungbean cultivars affecting harvest index significantly. It was also observed that protein contents were significantly different among cultivars. Maximum protein contents were recorded in CV. NM-92 (25.15%), which was statistically at par with NARC-Mung-1 (24.11%). Minimum seed protein contents were recorded in cultivar Chakwal Mung-97. Rehman (1988) also observed significant difference of protein contents in Mungbean cultivars.
It can be concluded from the present study that NM-98 appeared to be the best among the cultivars under test in terms of number of pods, number of grains per pod and grain yield per hectare.