Genetic Variability for quantitative traits in F3 families of Brassica juncea L. (Czern & Coss.)

Abstract

Genetic variability is an indicator for a plant breeder to proceed further for evolution of candidate genotypes with novel traits. Fifteen intra-species single crosses made during 2013-14 were evaluated along with their parents for the extent of genetic variability available for seven major yield contributing traits viz.,days to first flowering, plant height, secondary branches, main shoot length, number of siliqua on main shoot, number of seeds siliquae-1, days to maturity besides seed yield plant-1 in F3 segregating generation. The field evaluation trial was conducted during 2016-17 at the experimental area of department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi (Jharkhand), India. The range of variability, GCV, PCV, heritability (b.s.) and genetic gain as expressed in percent of mean were estimated for all the target traits from both parental as well as segregating populations. Wide range of variations for PCV and GCV were observed for all most all the quantitative traits in segregating populations as compared to their parental populations. The extent of heritability and genetic gain were higher in magnitude for most of the yield components except days to first flowering in F3 families. Among seven yield contributing traits, secondary branches, main shoot length, number of clique on main shoot and number of seeds siliquae-1 were identified as most desirable traits contributing maximum towards seed yield and controlled by additive gene action. Out of fifteen F3 families, five populations viz., NRCHB-101x PM-21, NRCDR-2x PM-21, PM-25 xPM-21, NRCHB-101 xRLC-1and Pusa Bold X Pm-21 were registered outstanding performance for most of the traits.