Multivariate Analysis and Screening of Moth Bean Accessions for Biotic Stresses in the Arid Region of Western India

The present investigation assesses the genetic diversity and resilience of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) against the biotic stresses in the arid zones of India. This research was carried out at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Research Centre, Bikaner, and employed an augmented design to analyze 300 accessions for morphological and agronomic traits. The study integrated Pearson’s correlation, hierarchical clustering, and principal component analysis to understand trait interrelationships and genetic variance. The number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height and test weight showed a highly significant and positive correlation, whereas days to 50% flowering and number of branches per plant showed a negative correlation with seed yield per plant. Hierarchical clustering subdivided accessions into fourteen clusters, and cluster1 best suited to arid conditions with 21 accessions. Principal component analysis with eigenvalues classified the accessions into eight principal components. PC1 contributed the maximum variation that is 32.21 percent, followed by other clusters. Cercospora leaf spot had the highest disease incidence among the three diseases (yellow mosaic virus, cercospora leaf spot and leaf curl virus diseases). The findings underscore the potential of exploiting genetic variability in moth beans for breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield and stress tolerance, crucial for sustainable production in resource-poor arid ecosystems.