Identification of Attributes Contributing to High Temperature Tolerance in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) Genotypes

Drought and high temperature stresses are the most important constraints to blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) production and account for about 50 per cent of the yield loss. A field experiment was laid out with seventeen genotypes of blackgram in order to identify genotype/s tolerant to high temperature of above 40C and quantified the impacts on morphological, seed yield and yield contributing characters. High temperature influenced pod setting, seed filling and significantly reduced the seed yield however there was significant variation in the magnitude of response among the genotypes. Among the seventeen blackgram genotypes, IC 436610 and PU-19 performed better for seed yield and yield contributing traits under both cool and warm seasons with moderate reduction at high temperature. From the present study it is evident that adequate genetic variability exists within the blackgram genotypes which can able to tolerate high temperature of greater than40C. The yield contributing characters such as pod number, seed number and 100-seed weight are three key traits, which are useful in screening the genotypes for high temperature tolerance along with better seed yield in blackgram by plant breeders.