Identification of potential sources of <i>mungbean yellow mosaic India virus</i> resistance in black gram (<scp><i>Vigna mungo</i></scp>) and expression of antioxidants and R‐genes modulating resistance response in cultivated and its two wild relatives

Abstract Black gram is one of the most important short duration grain legume, which contributes significantly towards nutritional security and environmental sustainability. The virus specific primers confirms the presence of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus ( MYMIV ) in representative samples. A total of 27 cultivated and two wild species were found as highly resistant (HR) to MYMIV and validated through molecular markers. The start codon target (SCoT) markers analysis revealed that the SCoT loci, namely, SCoT‐4 (2200 bp), SCot‐9 (1150/ 1200 bp), SCoT‐15 (1150/1100 bp), SCoT‐16 (700 bp), SCoT‐24 (2500 bp), SCoT‐25 (700 bp), SCoT‐33 (900/1000 bp), and SCoT‐34 (600 bp), were found unique, able to distinguish HR and highly susceptible (HS) genotypes. Biochemical characterization and gene expression profiling revealed the higher expression of antioxidants and R‐genes just after pathogen inoculation indicated the activation of defence mechanism in both cultivated and its wild relatives, which modulates the resistant responses in cultivated and wild accessions. These information will be really helpful in accelerating resistance breeding in black gram.