Physiological Basis and Mitigation Strategies for Improving Tolerance to Heat Stress in Mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek]

In India, mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] is 3rd most important legume crop among pulses after chickpea and pigeon pea that grows most efficiently at temperatures between 27 and 35 degrees C. It is thermotolerant during vegetative phase however sensitive to heat stress during reproductive stage. Terminal high temperature (>40 degrees C) during the summers significantly reduces grain yield of mung bean by decreasing photosynthesis, growth, biomass production, pollen viability, grain setting & pod filling and impairing source sink balance and accelerating flowers and pods shedding. Analysis of the genetic variations in the accessible germplasm and the physio-biochemical processes involve in modulating heat sensitivity and tolerance have prime importance for enhancing the grain yield of mung bean. There is great scope to improve the heat tolerance and yield of mung bean by using various long-term and short-term strategies. In this article, physiological and molecular responses along with mitigation strategies in relation to improve thermotolerance in mung bean have been reviewed.