Character association and path analysis of yield and yield-contributing traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. czern and coss.)

The experimental material consisted of 50 genotypes of Indian mustard, grown in a Randomised Block Design to estimate heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and path analysis. Observations on twelve important yield traits were recorded on five competitive plants randomly selected from each plot, while flowering traits were recorded on a row basis. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all studied characters, indicating ample genetic variability. High heritability estimates in the broad sense, along with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, were observed for the number of siliquae per plant and biological yield. Association studies revealed that days to 50% flowering showed a significant positive correlation with seed yield. Harvest index exhibited the highest positive direct effect on seed yield, followed by biological yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches, siliqua length, number of siliquae per plant, and plant height.