Line X Tester Analysis for Quantitative Traits in Indian Mustard [Brassica Juncea (L.) Czern & Coss]

Abstract

The present investigation entitled, "Line x Tester analysis for quantitative traits in Indian mustard [Brassicajuncea (1.) Czern & Coss)" was carried out at Crop Research Centre, Chiror:i ofSardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). The experiment consisted of ten lines, four testers and 40 F1's was laid out in a Randomized Block Design in three replications during Rabi 2012~13. The observations were recorded on sixteen traits namely, days to flower initiation, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, main shoot length, siliquae on main shoot per plant, number of siliquae per plant, length of siliquae, number of seeds per siliqua, days to maturity, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, harvest index and oil content. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all the sixteen characters under study revealed high level of genetic variability among treatments for all the traits. Over dominance was observed for number of siliquae per plant, plant height, main shoot length, biological yield per plant, days to maturity, siliquae on main shoot per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to flower initiation, harvest index and oil content. It was partial dominance for number of secondary branches per plant, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, primary branches per plant, length of siliqua and I 000-seed weight. Analysis of variance for combining ability showed significant values both for gca and sea variances for most of the traits. Lines EC-38509, EC-39930 I, E-I 4673 and EC-393027 were found good general combiner for seed yield and yield contributing characters. Whereas, among the testers, Basanti and Varuna were identified as good general combiner for most of the traits. The cross combinations namely; EC-441 x Basanti, EC-365404 x Varuna, EC-38509 x Ashirwad, and E-14673 x Basanti identified superior for seed yield and most of the yield contributing characters. Cross combinations EC-38509 x Ashirwad showed heterotic effects. more than fifteen per cent in desirable direction over superior and mid parents. Maximum heterobeltiosis for oil content exhibited by cross EC-38509 x Pusa Bold of 5.13 percent followed by EC-441 x Basanti. For the early maturity cross EC-393027 x Basanti identified superior over the other. This cross also exhibited heterosis over mid parent. Cross combination EC-365404 x Varuna found superior for plant height (dwarfness). Moderate heritability along with moderate genetic advance found for most the major characters including seed yield. Both additive and non-additive gene action was of prime importance.