Assessment of correlation and path parameters in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. czern. & coss.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and its component traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.). The experimental material comprised ten genotypes Varuna, Rohini, Azad Mahak, NRC-DR-2, Maya, PR-21, KMR(L)17-5, Mathura Rai, Narendra Rai-4, and NDR-8501 crossed in a diallel mating design (excluding reciprocals) to obtain 45 F₁s and their corresponding F₂ generations. A total of 100 treatments (10 parents, 45 F₁s, and 45 F₂s) were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Oilseed Research Farm, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. Observations were recorded on 18 morphological, yield, and quality traits. Correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant was significantly and positively associated with biological yield, harvest index, number of siliquae per plant, and number of secondary branches per plant. Path analysis indicated that biological yield and harvest index exerted the highest positive direct effects on seed yield across all generations. The results suggest that these traits, along with siliquae number and secondary branches, should be emphasized in selection programs. Simultaneous improvement for yield efficiency and seed quality may lead to the development of high-yielding, nutritionally superior mustard cultivars.