Genetics of Cercospora Leaf Spot Resistance in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] through Generation Mean Analysis

Background: Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) is a fungal disease of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] caused by Cercospora canescens and now emerged as an important biotic stress. A better understanding of the genetics of CLS resistance will help in formulating efficient breeding procedures in mungbean. Methods: The present investigation focused on genetics of CLS resistance through generation mean analysis (six parameter model) in two intra-specific mungbean crosses namely, Kopergaon × HUM12 and Kopergaon × ML1720. Four quantitative disease resistance components, viz., Area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), Incubation period (IP), Latent period (LP) and degree of sporulation (SP) were studied. Result: A high correlation of AUDPC with latent period (r = –0.68 to –0.79, P less than 0.0001) and SP (r = 0.72 to -0.81, P less than 0.0001) advocated that both are main contributor for CLS disease development. High heterosis along with high heritability in terms of AUDPC ( greater than 0.09) indicated the importance of genetic factor(s) in controlling CLS resistance. Generation mean analysis of both the crosses revealed duplicate epistatic interaction and involvement of two genes for CLS resistance in terms of AUDPC. This study supports oligogenic nature of inheritance, advocating AUDPC along with IP, LP and SP as important disease indicator for selection of CLS resistance in mungbean.