Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Resistance and Agronomic Performance of Pyramided Mungbean Lines from Marker- Assisted Selection

Gene pyramiding is an effective strategy to provide a durable and high level of powdery mildew (PM) resistance in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek]. The objectives of this study were to evaluate PM resistance levels of pyramided BC2F1 progenies derived from marker-assisted selection of KING (recurrent parent) × SUPER5 (donor parent) cross and measure their agronomic performance under fi eld condition. The results showed that the progenies with marker combinations linked to both PM resistance genes including I85420 + I42PL222, and I27R565 were more resistant to PM (average disease severity score of 3.80) than KING, check cv. CN72, and the progenies without any marker combinations (scores of 8, 8 and 6.75, respectively). While the progenies carrying only one resistance gene were identifi ed as containing either I85420 + I42PL222, or I27R565 which showed intermediate response score of 5.83. In addition, most of the pyramided lines produced higher yield per plant than KING because of their superior pods per plant, clusters per plant, and seeds per pod. In the future, these pyramided lines with two PM resistance genes can be further developed into new PM resistant varieties via marker-assisted backcross breeding or be used as potential PM resistant sources in mungbean breeding programs.