Gamma-rays and EMS induced resistance to mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] and its validation using linked molecular markers

Purpose Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) is a serious constraint in the mungbean which is a potential source of easily digestible high-quality proteins, fibers, minerals, and vitamins in Asian countries. Developing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable approach to protect mungbean from MYMIV damage. Mutation breeding provides a quick and cost-effective way of developing resistance as lack of genetic variability is the biggest bottleneck for other traditional breeding tools. Materials and methods Outstanding but MYMIV-sensitive varieties of mungbean, viz., MH 2-15 and MH 318 were mutagenized through various individual and combined doses of gamma-rays and Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and evaluated in M-2 and M-3 generations for the appearance of resistance reactions. This was subsequently validated through marker-assisted genotyping using previously reported Yellow Mosaic Disease (YMD) linked markers. Results The phenotyping in M-3 generation yielded 64 MYMIV resistant mutants whereas, marker-assisted genotyping identified the 22 mutants with true resistance. Markers YR4, CYR1, and CEDG180 were found associated with MYMIV resistance whereas, DMB-SSR158 did not show any amplification. Among identified resistant mutants, ten lines exhibited at par and two revealed a little higher seed yield over controls. Conclusions The mutagenesis created significant variability in MYMIV resistance as well as seed yield per plant. YR4, CYR1, and CEDG180 are found to be linked with the MYMIV loci in the mungbean and could be utilized for MYMIV resistance breeding. Mutant M-37 from MH 2-15 and M-104 from MH 318 exhibited more seed yield along with MYMIV resistance which upon further validation can be released as a variety. The induced mutagenesis integrated with powerful emerging molecular and next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools would be highly helpful in breeding mungbean for durable resistance against threatening MYMIV.