Genetic variability for seed yield and its contributing traits in Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]

Abstract

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important oilseed crop contributing substantially to India’s edible oil production. The present investigation was undertaken to assess genetic variability among 30 Indian mustard genotypes evaluated for twelve quantitative traits. In Rabi, 2023–2024, the experiment was carried out at the Instructional Farm, Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur, using a randomised block design with three replications. Significant differences between genotypes for every variable were found by analysis of variance, suggesting that there is sufficient genetic variability. The number of branches per plant showed moderate phenotypic variation (10  to 20 %), whereas the number of siliquae per plant and seed output per plant showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (>20 %). The majority of the remaining characteristics showed little phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (<10 %). Plant height, days to maturity, oil content, days to 50 per cent flowering, siliquae per plant, seed production per plant and chlorophyll content all showed high heritability estimates, indicating little environmental influence. For certain traits, substantial heritability and moderate genetic advancement suggested that both additive and non-additive gene activity were involved, underscoring their value in selection for increased yield. Selection for traits exhibiting high heritability and genetic advance may facilitate the development of high-yielding Indian mustard varieties. Promising genotypes identified in present investigation may be employed in pedigree breeding, disruptive mating and recurrent selection breeding programme to combine favourable yield attributes in future Indian mustard cultivars.