Assessment of genetic diversity based on agromorphological traits in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] germplasm

Abstract

In the present study, a set of 36 Indian mustard genotypes were evaluated in three replications for twelve agromorphological traits. D2 analysis was done to study the diversity pattern which enabled the grouping of genotypes into 11 clusters. Cluster I was the largest (D2=7.53) comprising of 20 genotypes followed by cluster II (D2=7.20) of 7 genotypes, while other 9 clusters contained one genotype each. Estimates of average inter cluster distance revealed that clusters IX and XI were most divergent (D2=118.49) followed by clusters V and XI (D2=88.48). Hence, crossing between genotypes Pusa Agrani × Rohini (cluster IX × cluster XI); PM-28 × Rohini (cluster V × cluster XI) may yields a considerable amount of heterosis in F1 generation. Days to maturity (31.9 %) had the highest contribution, followed by seed yield per plant (25.4 %), days to 50% flowering (13.33 %), beak length (7.30 %) and 1000 seed weight (6.67 %) towards the observed genetic diversity. Selection for divergent parents based on concerned traits could enhance the development of transgressive segregants with increased vigor in Indian mustard.

Keywords

• indian mustard
• genetic divergence
• d2 analysis.