It focuses on the breeding objectives in blackgram (Vigna mungo) to enhance its genetic potential for improved yield and quality. The presentation covers key objectives such as increasing yield through traits like pod number and length, developing resistance against diseases and abiotic stresses, enhancing nutritional quality, and improving agronomic traits. By incorporating advanced breeding techniques and genetic markers, breeders aim to develop high-yielding blackgram varieties that are resilient, disease-resistant, and nutritionally rich, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture and improved food security.

1. 19GPB301 – Crop Improvement-I (Kharif crops) 2 (1+1)
Submitted To,
Dr. Manonmani K
Assistant Professor
(Genetics & Plant
breeding)
Submitted By,
Kaaviya AV
Cb.ag.u4agr2002
9
Breeding Objectives of
Urdbean for Crop
Improvement

2. BLACK GRAM
Scientific Name :
Vigna mungo
Chromosome no:
2n = 2x = 22
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: India
Distribution: India, Pakistan,
Sirlanka, and South Asian
countries. In India,
Maharashtra, UP, MP,
Karnataka, Gujarat A.P, Tamil
Nadu and Rajasthan
Progenitor:
Vigna radiata var. sulobata

3. Breeding Objectives
 Breeding for high yield
• One of the most important
breeding objectives for urdbean is to
develop high-yielding varieties that
can help farmers increase their
production and income. This can be
achieved by selecting for traits such as
early maturity, disease resistance, and
tolerance to abiotic stresses.
• Eg. CO6, CO 7

4. Breeding varieties resistant to diseases
• Urdbean is susceptible to various
diseases such as powdery mildew,
YMV, Leaf crinkle virus, rust, and root
rot, which can significantly reduce crop
yield. Therefore, developing urdbean
varieties that are resistant to these
diseases is a crucial breeding objective.
• Eg. VBN 1, Karaikal, BDN 1, IPU,
VBN 2, VBN 3 - resistant to YMV

5. Breeding varieties resistant to Pest
• Urdbean is an important pulse crop that is susceptible to a variety of pests,
including aphids, whiteflies, mites, and pod borers. Breeding urdbean for pest
resistance can help to reduce crop losses and increase yields. There are several
strategies that can be used to breed urdbean for pest resistance. One approach is
to identify and select plants with natural resistance to pests. This can be done
by screening large numbers of plants for resistance in controlled environments
or in the field. Plants that show improved growth and yield in the presence of
pests can be selected for further breeding.
• Another approach is to use modern molecular breeding techniques such as
marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection. These techniques can
be used to identify specific genes and markers that are associated with pest
resistance in urdbean and to select plants that have these genes or markers.
• In addition to genetic approaches, cultural practices can also be used to reduce
pest pressure and improve pest resistance in urdbean. For example, using crop
rotations and intercropping with pest-repellent crops can help to reduce the
buildup of pest populations. Other practices such as the use of trap crops,
insecticides, and biological control agents can also be used to control pest
populations and improve pest resistance in urdbean.
• Eg. White fly vector for YMV and leaf crinkle, leaf eating caterpillar resistant
varieties ML 337, ML 5, MH 85-61, ML 325,VBN 6

6. Breeding for better quality
Consumers often prefer urdbean
varieties that have desirable culinary
traits such as good cooking quality,
taste, and texture. Therefore,
developing urdbean varieties that have
these quality traits is also an important
breeding objective.
Black gram has 24% protein. There are
lines having 27% protein.
Quality of black gram is determined by,
a) Protein content
b) Methionine content 1.17%
c) cooking quality - Time
d) % of hard seeds
e) Dhall recovery 70%

7. Resistance to shattering
Shattering is the process by which mature pods split open and release seeds onto the ground, which
makes harvesting difficult and reduces the quality and quantity of the yield. To address this problem,
plant breeders have been working to develop blackgram varieties that are resistant to shattering. This
involves identifying genetic traits that are associated with shattering and selecting plants that exhibit
those traits. One such trait is the presence of a thick, lignified abscission layer at the base of the pod. This
layer acts as a barrier, preventing the pod from splitting open and releasing the seeds.
Other traits that have been identified as contributing to shattering resistance in blackgram include pod
wall thickness, seed coat thickness, and pod dehiscence force. Plant breeders use a combination of these
traits to select for blackgram varieties that are less prone to shattering. In addition to genetic approaches,
cultural practices can also be used to reduce shattering in blackgram.
For example, delaying the harvest until the pods are fully mature and dry can help to reduce shattering,
as can minimizing mechanical damage to the pods during harvesting.

8. Breeding for high Nutrient content
• Breeding for nutrient content in black gram is an
important area of research that can help to improve
the nutritional quality of this important pulse crop.
By combining traditional breeding methods with
modern molecular techniques and optimizing
agronomic practices, plant breeders can develop
new varieties of black gram that have higher levels
of essential nutrients and contribute to improved
human nutrition and health.

9. Breeding for Drought tolerance
• Breeding urdbean for drought
tolerance is an important area of
research that can help to improve
the yield and quality of this
important pulse crop in water-
limited environments. By
combining traditional breeding
methods with modern molecular
techniques and optimizing
cultural practices, plant breeders
can develop new varieties of
urdbean that are more resilient to
drought and contribute to
improved food security in
drought-prone regions.

10. • Evolving short duration high yielding
varieties suitable for irrigated conditions.
This can be used as mixed crop in cotton,
turmeric Short duration varieties are Co2,
Vamban 1, 2 and 3
• Evolving short duration varieties suitable
for rice follow condition
Eg : ADT 3
• Evolving medium-duration high-yielding varieties for
dry land cultivation.
Eg. Co5

11. Reference:
 Sakila, M., and M. Pandiyan. "Realization of facts and profiteering of black
gram through different breeding methods." IJCS 6.4 (2018): 3359-3369.
 Thakur, H. L., and G. S. Sethi. "Characterisation and segregation pattern of
some macromutations induced in black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)."
Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding 53.02 (1993): 168-173.
 Dhasarathan, Manickam, et al. "Development of Novel Blackgram (Vigna
mungo (L.) Hepper) mutants and deciphering genotype× environment
interaction for yield-related traits of mutants." Agronomy 11.7 (2021): 1287.