Mahak Singh

Heterosis for seed yield and its component traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Twenty morphologically diverse genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] namely, Varuna, Maya, Urvashi, Basanti, Rohini, Pusa Bold, Kranti, NDR-8501, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Barani, Pusa Jai Kisan, Vaibhav, Durgamani, Ashirwad, KR-5610, B-85, Vardan, Navgold, RH-30, RLM-198 and four testers, viz. Pusa Agrani, RK-9807, RK-9808 and Mathura Rai were crossed in line x tester mating design. Analysis of variance for heterosis showed significant differences for all the characters under study in F1 generation. Significant differences indicated the presence of adequate genetic variability among the base material as well as crosses. Out of 80 crosses, only four crosses showed best economic heterosis for seed yield plant−1 namely; Maya x Mathura Rai, Vaibhav x Pusa Agrani, Pusa Jai Kisan x Pusa Agrani and Ashirwad x Mathura Rai. All these crosses had the combination of high x high gca effects indicating additive gene action. Hence these crosses may be utilized for improving seed yield through improvement in yield related traits in Indian mustard.