Canopy and reproductive development in mungbean (Vigna radiata)

Context Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is an important grain legume for food, feed, and green manure. Mungbean yield is highly variable due to fluctuating temperature and unpredictable rainfall. Aims To improve yield stability, it is critical to utilise a model that can simulate mungbean phenology, biomass, and yield accurately. Methods A thorough understanding of the physiological determinants of growth and yield is required to advance existing mungbean crop modelling capability. Currently, there is limited understanding of the physiological determinants of canopy and reproductive development and their variation in mungbean germplasm. Two experiments (controlled and field environments) were conducted at Gatton, Queensland, in 2018–19. Six Australian mungbean genotypes and one black gram (Vigna mungo L.) were grown under non-limiting conditions. Plant phenotypic traits (canopy development, time to first, 50% flowering, duration of flowering and podding, flower appearance, pod addition rates) were recorded. Key results Genotypes M10403 and Satin II had significantly higher leaf appearance rate (LAR). Genotypes with a greater LAR had higher number of leaves but lower individual leaf area. Genotypes varied significantly in time to first and 50% flowering, with Onyx-AU (black gram) and Celera II-AU flowering earliest. Flowering and podding rates, and duration of these phenological phases varied among genotypes. Total plant leaf area (TPLA) approached its maximum at mid-podding stage. Implications This study quantified the key phenotypic and physiological relationships associated with canopy and reproductive development, critical for the improvement of mungbean crop modelling required to accurately simulate growth and development and inform possible canopy constraints that are limiting mungbean productivity.