Response of Mungbean Cultivars to Irrigation Gradient : Yield and Yield Components

Abstract

Mungbean, vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek is one of grain legumes grown in rice-based cropping system. Whereas production is often limited by the large variation in the distribution and amount of rainfall. four mungbean cultivars. CN60, KPS2, UT1 and local variety wee compared for their drought tolerance using a line - source sprinkler. Field studies were conducted at chiang Mai field Crops Research Center, Chiang Mai province in dry season during February to May, 1990 and 1991. The results showed that lack of water in the driest regime reduced the seed yield of Local, chai Nat 60, Kamphaeng Sean 2 and U - Thong 1 cultivars by an average of 57, 54, 53 and 51% respectively. Seed yield increased per amount of total irrigation weater plus rainfall were 0.81 and 0.09 kg/rai in Kamphaeng Saen 2 in 1990 and 1991, respectively. Among yield components, pod number was the most sensitive to drought followed by seeds per pod and seed weight was the least affected. Kampheng Saen 2 and U-Thong 1 (medium maturity) cultivars performed the best in irrigated as well as in rainfed conditions.