Vol. 7 No. 2
Variability and character association studies in rapeseed- mustard (Brassica sp.)
Author(s): S. K. ROY, S. HAQUE, V . A. KALE, D . S. ASABE AND S. DASH
Abstract: Fifty four genotypes of rapeseed-mustard were evaluated during rabi season 2009-10 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal for nine yield and its attributing traits. The genotypes were grouped into ten clusters based on D2 values. The intra-cluster distance was highest in cluster-X and lowest in cluster-IV. The maximum inter-cluster distance was found between clusters-I and IX, followed by the distance between the clusters-I and V, clusters-III and IX and clusters-IX and X. Seed yield plant-1 contributed the maximum to total divergence and some other traits with appreciable contribution were plant height, primary branches plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 at top and seeds siliqua-1 at bottom. Significant varietal differences were observed for all the characters except siliqua on main raceme. The GCV was less than PCV for all the characters indicating considerable influence of the environment on their expression. High PCV and GCV were observed for secondary branches plant-1 and siliqua on branches whereas, the remaining characters expressed low to medium GCV. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percentage of mean were exhibited by plant height, seed yield, secondary branches plant-1, siliqua on branches and seeds siliquae-1 at top of the plant indicating their control by additive gene action and chances of further improvement by selection. Among the yield attributing traits siliqua on main raceme was significantly correlated with seed yield both at genotypic and phenotypic level whereas, seeds siliquae-1 at bottom was positively associated with seed yield only at the genotypic level. The highest direct effect at genotypic level on seed yield was equally exhibited by seeds siliquae-1 at middle and secondary branches plant-1..