Development and evaluation of Alternaria blight tolerant lines in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate and develop Alternaria blight tolerant lines in Indian mustard
[Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]. A total of 14 Alternaria blight tolerant lines were selected from 214
lines in F8 generation. Amongst the selected lines, DRMR-2803, DRMR-2805 and DRMR-2806 showed the
least per cent mean disease severity values of 11.4, 10.4 and 9.4, respectively. However, only DRMR-2805
exhibited seed yield/plant higher than the check variety Varuna. Per se performance of selected lines, evaluated
for three consecutive years (2010-13), varied considerably for most yield parameters. The most pronounced
range was obtained for plant height (203.7 - 264.5 cm), siliquae on main shoot (36.4 - 61.7), main shoot length
(30.6 - 81.3 cm), and seed yield per plant (5.4 - 39.7g); number of primary branches/plant (7.1 -12.2) siliqua
length (3.0 - 4.5 cm), number of seeds/siliqua (12.4 - 15.6), 1000 seed weight (2.3 - 5.4g), and % oil content
(39.6 - 41.6) exhibited narrow range of variation. RAPD analysis of selected Alternaria blight tolerant lines,
along with tolerant, (PHR-2 and PAB- 9511), and susceptible (Varuna) checks, clearly distinguished the
individual lines to their available pedigree data. Highly promising tolerant lines identified in the present study
may be used as potential donors for transferring Alternaria blight tolerance in high yielding mustard varieties.
The advanced Alternaria blight tolerant breeding line DRMR-2805 showing seed yield/plant almost at par
with check variety Varuna must be released as a variety after multi-location testing.