Correlation and path coefficient studies for yield related traits in F 2 population of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L)

Abstract

 In the current investigation, 200 genotypes of Indian mustard underwent correlation analysis and path coefficient 
analysis to explore the cause-and-effect relationships with direct and indirect components. The F population was 
 resulted from crossing Pusa Mehak (Indian genotype) with Primus (East-European genotype) and selfing the F₁ s. 
 Correlation coefcients for yield-related traits indicated a significant positive correlation for all characters in association 
with yield per plant, except for plant height. In the path coefcient studies, with yield per plant as the dependent character 
and the remaining 12 yield-related traits as independent contributing characters, the analysis revealed a high order of 
direct effect on yield per plant, with harvest index (G= 0.46, P=0.41) having the highest impact, followed by biological 
yield (G= 0.38, P= 0.31), 1000-seed weight (G= 0.34, P= 0.32), average siliqua length (G= 0.28, P= 0.23), and number of 
seeds per siliqua (G= 0.24, P= 0.21). These characters were identied as major direct and indirect contributors to yield 
per plant in the F population of Indian mustard. The variation in grain yield unexplained by the twelve traits was 
 attributed to the residual effect (G= 0.24, P= 0.32), which is uncorrelated with other related factors in the study. The 
existence of two distinct gene pools in Indian mustard 'the East European and Indian gene pools' provided a valuable 
resource for breeding program aimed at reducing erucic acid quantity in Indian mustard while maintaining yield and 
adaptability. The complementary traits found in these gene pools can be effectively utilized to develop superior cultivars 
for future breeding programs.