Elucidation of genetic variability and inter-relationship studies for seed yield and quality traits in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]

Abstract

Forty five genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss] were evaluated for seed yield and quality traits in Randomized Block Design with four replications during the Rabi, 2019-2020. The analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares due to genotypes was significant for all the eighteen characters studied indicating the presence of variability for all the traits among the genotypes under study. Low difference between genotypic and phenotypic variances revealed that the contribution of genotypic variance to total variance was more for all the traits except days to maturity and plant height. The high values of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation for the number of branches per plant, seed yield per plant , myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid which indicated the potential variability available for these traits. The high heritability estimates obtained in conjunction with high genetic advance were observed for the number of branches per plant, the number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, length of siliqua , 1000-seed weight , seed yield per plant , myristic acid , palmitic acid, stearic acid , linoleic acid , linolenic acid and glucosinolate suggesting the predominant role of additive gene action for their expression. Association analysis between seed yield per plant and other seventeen characters revealed significantly positive correlation of seed yield per plant with the number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, length of siliquam, myristic acid and erucic acid. Path analysis revealed positive direct effects of the number of siliquae per plant and seeds per siliqua towards seed yield per plant while myristic acid, the number of branches per plant had a positive indirect effect on seed yield per plant via the number of siliquae per plant suggesting that the selection for such traits would be more effective for improving seed yield in Indian mustard.

Genetic studies of genetic variability and trait associations in mustard spp. (Brassica juncea L. & Brassica carinata A.)

“…Conversely, low direct effects (ranging from 0.10 to 0.19) were noted for days to maturity and siliqua length, with negligible effects observed for siliqua length and test weight concerning grain yield per plant. These results align with previous research by Patel et al (2021) [13] for days to maturity and Singh et al (2022) [19] for plant height, siliqua length, and test weight. Furthermore, days to 50 percent flowering exhibited a low direct effect in the negative direction, consistent with the findings of Kumari et al (2019) [6] .…”

“…A notably high direct effect in a positive direction was observed for siliqua per plant, with the correlation coefficient between siliqua per plant and grain yield per plant almost equaling its direct effect. This underscores the genuine relationship between these traits, suggesting the efficacy of direct selection based on siliqua per plant, consistent with earlier findings by Patel et al (2021) [13] . Conversely, low direct effects (ranging from 0.10 to 0.19) were noted for days to maturity and siliqua length, with negligible effects observed for siliqua length and test weight concerning grain yield per plant.…”

“…This suggests the potential for simultaneous enhancement of these traits alongside grain yield per plant. These results align with previous studies by Patel et al (2019) [12] for days to maturity, Kumari et al (2019) [6] for plant height, Yadav et al (2021) [23] for siliqua length, Singh et al (2022) [19] for test weight, and Patel et al (2021) [13] for primary branches per plant and siliqua per plant. In addition, a negative and significant association between plant height and siliqua length was observed in the present study, consistent with the findings of Kumari et al (2019) [6] .…”

“…Grain yield per plant varied from 0.70g to 8.53g, with a mean of 2.46g per plant. Similar variability in grain yields per plant has been previously reported by Patel et al (2021) [13] in their research on Indian mustard. The duration to reach 50 percent flowering ranged from 42.00 to 68.50 days in this study, while days to maturity ranged from 87.33 to 106.00 days, consistent with findings by Yadav et al (2021) [23] .…”

Combining ability analysis in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] involving Ogura CMS system

“…Czern & Coss commonly known as Indian mustard belongs to the family Brassicacae and genus Brassica. It is a natural amphidiploid (2n = 36) of Brassica rapa (2n = 20) and Brassica nigra (2n = 16) (Patel et al, 2021). This crop is one of the important oilseeds crops of India.…”