Abstract

Mungbean is a highly nutritious, versatile pulse crop that is primarily grown for human consumption and green manuring in regions such as East Africa, South Asia and Australia. However, the plant-environmental interactions in other regions have not been thoroughly evaluated. Plant-soil interaction and growth stability of mungbean evaluated in Bloemfontein district of Free State, South Africa. The experiment was conducted during the summer season, which had predicted seasonal rainfall and optimal air temperature for mungbean germination, plant growth, and development, over two consecutive years. Yield and yield contributing traits; grain yield plant-1, plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of pods plant-1, pod length and number of seeds pod-1 were evaluated. Data analysis using a T-test revealed no significant relationship between two years of evaluation for plant growth and yield contributing traits. Despite these findings, the foreign mungbean germplasm requires further evaluation to determine its maximum yield potential and stability. Additionally, data on plant-pest and -disease interactions will be necessary to ensure sustained plant growth and future cultivation.

Keywords:Adaptation; Crop performance; Dryland cultivation; Ecophysiology; Yield sustainability