Quantitative analysis for yield and its components in IC lines of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss.]

Abstract

Genetic divergence assessed in 41 IC lines of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] using D2 statistics for nine characters enabled grouping of all the genotypes into seven clusters viz plant height, number of primary branches/ plant, number secondary branches/ plant, number of siliquae/ plant, siliqua length, number of seeds/ siliqua, total number of seeds/ plant, total seed yield/ plant and test weight. Out of 7 clusters, cluster I was the largest comprising 10 lines followed by cluster II consisting of 7 lines, cluster IV and VI with 6 lines, whereas, clusters III, V and VI contained 4, 5 and 3 lines, respectively. VII exhibited highest cluster mean value for siliqua length, number of seeds/ siliqua, total seed yield/plant and test weight whereas cluster II number of primary branches/ plant, number secondary branches/ Plant, number of siliquae/ plant. Cluster means for different clusters and inter cluster distances were used to judge the importance of different clusters in the improvement programme.