Genetic study for seed yield and seed quality traits in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea L.Czern&coss.]
Abstract
Combining ability, gene action and heterosis was studied in a set of seven lines, five testers and 35 hybrids of Indian mustard following L x T mating design. The ratio σ2gca / σ2sca was less than one, for the traits, viz., days to flowering, plant height, number of branch per plant, number of siliquae per plant, seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, oil content, lenoleic acid content and lenolenic acid content, which suggested greater role of non-additive genetic variance in the inheritance of these traits. The cross CJ 3761 x GM 3 recorded the highest heterosis (22.70%) over check variety GDM 4, followed by ZEM 2 x Kranti (12.06%), while hybrid CJ 3761 x GM 3 exhibited highest heterobeltiosis (75.35%). Parents CJ 3761, DRMR-659-49, ZEM 1, ZEM 2, GM 1 and GM 3 were good combiners for seed yield per plant. ZEM 1 was found to be good combiner for number of branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, oil content and linolenic acid. Considering mean performance, heterosis and combining ability effects, the parents CJ 3761, DRMR-659-49, ZEM 1, ZEM 2, GM 1 and GM 3 and the hybrids CJ 3761 x GM 3, ZEM 2 x Kranti and DRMR-659-49 x GM 2 were found to be promising for the development of high yielding genotypes.