Large scale characterization of Horsegram genetic resources

A total of 2410 accessions along with 6 checks of Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum L.) are being characterized for agro-morphological diversity at ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi during Kharif, 2020-2021 under Department of Biotechnology (DBT) funded project namely “Genetic Enhancement of Minor Pulses: Characterization, Evaluation, Genetic Enhancement and Generation of Genomic Resources for Accelerated Utilization and Improvement of Minor Pulses”. These accessions collected and conserved in the National Genebank from different Horsegram growing agro-ecogeographical regions of the country as well as abroad. This is the second year field trial revealing wide spectrum diversity for a range of phenotypic traits including growth habit, branching pattern, leaf shape as well as size, 50% flowering time, pod length as well as width etc. Selected trait specific accessions with broad leaf and pod, maximum number of pod/plant and longest pod depicted in figure. Based on first year characterization data, a total of 43 accessions superior for one or more economically useful trait(s) selected and sown this year for seed multiplication so that multi-location evaluation trial could be constituted next year.

(Source:  Dr Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station Ranchi)