Selection indices in F2 generation of mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)

The discriminant function technique was used to construct selection indices in F2 populations of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). Thirty one selection indices involving seed yield per plant and its four components were constructed using discriminant function technique. In general, the more the number of characters included in a selection index, the better was its performance. The index based on four characters viz., seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and plant height had highest genetic advance and relative efficiency 61.701g and 701.134 per cent, respectively followed by an index based on three characters viz., seed yield per plant, number of pods per plant and plant height which possessed genetic gain and relative efficiency of 16.59g and 696.474 per cent, respectively. The use of both these indices is advocated for selecting high yielding genotypes of mungbean.