Genetic variability and association studies for morpho-physiological traits under timely and late sown conditions in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L)

Abstract

 The present study encompassed a total of 154 genotypes, comprising 150 test genotypes and four checks (RH-1566, RH
1499-30, RH-749 and RH-8812) of Indian mustard. The evaluation focused on morpho-physiological traits, 
encompassing seventeen characters, during the Rabi season of 2021-22 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. 
The analysis of variance revealed highly signicant genotypic differences for all the studied traits under timely (TS) and 
late sown (LS) conditions. Broad-sense heritability was notably high for all the studied traits except days to maturity in 
TS condition and transpiration rate and number of seeds per siliqua in LS condition. High heritability along with high 
genetic advance was reported for number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, siliqua length, 1000-seed 
weight, seed yield, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content in both TS and 
LS conditions. A signicant positive correlation between seed yield and number of primary branches, number of 
secondary branches, siliqua length, number of seeds/siliqua, 1000-seed weight, photosynthetic rate, stomatal 
conductance, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content indicating a strong association between these factors under both 
TS and LS conditions. The characters identied above as indirect yield components could be utilized in formulating 
effective selection strategy for developing high yielding mustard genotypes.