Estimation of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss]

Abstract

Twenty seven genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] were evaluated for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for nine yield and yield attributing characters. The experiment was carried out during Rabi 2022-2023 in Randomized Block Design (RBD) at Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj-Kota, Rajasthan. ANOVA of nine quantitative characters revealed significant differences at 1% level of significance. Mean values of seed yield showed that NPJ 261 had highest seed yield (3,143 kg/ha) followed by RH 2199 and RB-110. Also, they were at par with each other. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was found in number of secondary branches per plant. Phenotypic variance had higher values than genotypic variance indicating the influence of environment. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean (GAM) were reported for number of secondary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant and 1000-seed weight. These characters are highly heritable as they are governed by additive gene action. Selection for these characters will be effective in future breeding programmes. Hence, breeders should emphasize on these characters in Indian mustard genotypes for higher yield or productivity.