Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 3(6): 972-978, 2007 © 2007, INSInet Publication Corresponding Author: Hozayn M., Field Crops Research Department, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. 972 Performance of Some Mungbean ( Vignna radiate L. Wilczek) Genotypes under Late Sowing Condition in Egypt Hozayn M., M.S. Zeidan, Abd El-Lateef E.M and M.S. Abd El-Salam Field Crops Research Department, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Abstract: Two field trials were implemented during autumn of 2004 and 2005 seasons at the experimental farm of National Research Centre, Shalakan District, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt. The aim of the work was to study the performance of 4 mungbean genotypes ; 3 imported (VC-15, VC-21 and King) alongside the local variety (Kawmy-1) at different growth stages as well as yield and its components under late sowing condition (1 August) in Egypt. The results indicated that King genotype surpassed the other St genotypes in seed yield/fed., no. of seeds/plant, harvest index and 100-seed weight. Moreover it ranked as the first order due to all growth parameters. Results revealed that due to growth characters the 4 genotypes had the same behavior through the period from 21 to 63 DAS. Top of points in most curves due to growth characters was (49-56 DAS) thus it can be a good or suitable time for forage cutting date under late sowing as an alternative method to provide supplemental protein with annual grasses. Generally, all studied varieties gave a suitable seed and straw yield when sowing lately at the 1st. August. whereas, both king and VC-21 varieties gave the highest value of vegetative growth during growth stage and the highest seed and biological yield at the end of growth seasons. so, could be reducing the summer forage gap by sowing these two varieties after harvesting of early summer crops or instead of sowing Nile maize. Key words: Mungbean, Genotypes, Late Sowing, Growth Analysis, Field. INTRODUCTION Mungbean ( Vigna radiate L. Wilczek) is a newly introduced pulse crop in several countries such as Australia, Pakistan, Thailand and Egypt . It is an [6] important short growth duration (70-90 day) grain legume crop and high nutritive value. It is popular because its nutritional quality where meal is often to babies and convalescents, owing to their high digestibility and protein content (22-24 %). Its sprouts are consumed as a common vegetable in many countries . Also, it is consumed in many forms [18,21] including boiled dry bean as "dahl" (a porridge eaten with rice), bean cake, confectioneries, noodles and green beans . In addition mungbean is rich in [19] vitamins A, B1, B2 and C and niacin as well as minerals such as K, Ca which are necessary for the human body . [17] Mungbean can be successfully grown in a wide range of environments throughout the tropics and subtropics regions. Phoehlman, from his observation of International Mungbean Series (IMN) suggested that a mean temperature of 20 to 22 C may be the minimum o for productive growth with the mean optimum temperature in the range of 28 to 30 C. Lawn o [15] reported that varieties of mungbean differ in sensitively to maximum and minimum temperature. Singh, and Singh found that seed yield and [22] components traits differ with season where growth, pods/plant, seeds/pod and yield expressed better in kharif season while 100-seed weight expressed better in spring season. In India, Khairnar et al., evaluated 22 [14] genotypes of mungbean under condition of the kharif season; they found wide variability in most of yield components and grain yield per hectare. Moreover, Twidwel, et al., recorded that delayed mungbean [24] planting date from May to July produced forage higher with 2.2 ton/ha. Under Egyptian condition, Ashour et al., and El-Kramany , recorded that some [6] [12] genotypes of mungbean gave a suitable vegetative growth and yields when sown lately around mid of July. Mungbean is grown principally for its protein rich edible seeds that are used as human food, while its herbage is used as a fodder and green manure . [12,20] As a successful double purpose crop where it can produce a large amount of biomass and recover after grazing to yield abundant seeds , it can be used [11] between young trees for four years prior to canopy closure . Also, it can be good forage with cowpea [16] under rainfall conditions , in intercropping with [7] sorghum , with maize . Producing leguminous crops [5] [1] such as mungbean for forage is considered an alternative method to provide supplemental protein with