Character association and path coefficient analysis in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the character associations and direct and indirect effects of various morphological and yield-contributing traits on seed yield in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.). The experiment was conducted using 20 diverse genotypes in a randomized block design with three replications during the Rabi season 2024-25 at the Experimental Farm of G H Raisoni University, Saikheda. Ten important quantitative traits including plant height, siliquae per plant, siliqua length, biological yield, 1000-seed weight, seeds per siliqua, and seed yield per plant were recorded and analyzed. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed significant and positive associations of seed yield per plant with biological yield, number of siliquae per plant, and number of primary branches per plant. Path coefficient analysis based on genotypic correlations showed that biological yield had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield, followed by siliquae per plant and number of primary branches per plant. Traits such as siliqua length and seeds per siliqua had low or even negative indirect effects, suggesting that simultaneous improvement of these traits may not benefit seed yield.These results suggest that biological yield, siliquae per plant, and primary branches are major yield contributors and should be given due emphasis in selection programs. The study provides useful insights into trait relationships and helps formulate effective breeding strategies for the development of high-yielding mustard cultivars.