Combining ability and economic heterosis for yield and oil quality traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss)

Abstract

The estimates of gca and sca variances showed the preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the traits studied except siliqua density and 1000 seed weight. Among the lines and testers, good general combiner RH-30, RAURD 214, EC 401574 and Rajendra Sufalam have exhibited desirable negative and highly significant gca effect for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity and positive and highly significant for number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of siliqua per plant, siliqua length, siliqua density, 1000 seed weight, biological yield per plant, stearic acid, oleic acid, oil content and seed yield per plant indicating the presence of additive gene action or additive x additive interaction effects. Heterotic cross combinations were more frequently observed in crosses involving H x H, L x H and L x L gca of the parents.

Keywords

• Indian mustard
• Genetic divergence
• combining ability
• quantitative traits.