Insights from multivariate analysis of seed vigor traits in rapeseed and mustard (Brassica spp.) genotypes

Rapeseed and mustard (Brassica spp.) are critical oilseed crops contributing significantly to global edible oil production. In India, Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) dominates Brassica cultivation, yet the country remains heavily dependent on edible oil imports due to insufficient domestic production. Enhancing seed vigor, a key determinant of crop establishment and yield, offers a promising avenue for improving productivity. This study assessed the genetic diversity of 300 rapeseed and mustard genotypes for seed vigor traits using multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Eleven seed vigor-related traits were evaluated, and PCA revealed four principal components with eigenvalues greater than one, collectively explaining 77.09% of the total variance. The first principal component, accounting for 33.98% of the variability, was primarily influenced by germination percentage, seed vigor indices (SVI-1 and SVI-2), and shoot length. Cluster analysis classified the genotypes into four distinct groups, with cluster 2 displaying the highest seed vigor, making it an ideal candidate for breeding programs. Correlation analysis further underscored the strong positive relationships between germination percentage and seed vigor indices. Promising genotypes, such as IC-19950, IC-23061, LES-42, LES-62, and MST Q 20, exhibited excellent seed vigor with germination percentages of 100%, 100%, 97%, 98%, and 96%, respectively, and seed vigor index-I (SVI-1) values of 1480, 1089, 1254.79, 1177.45, and 1250.32, respectively. Furthermore, IC-597926 demonstrated a speed of germination (SOG) of 66.17 and the highest oil content (OC) at 43.63%, IC-122491 showed a high SOG of 31.17 and a coefficient of velocity of germination of 22.07, and IC-491092 exhibited an SVI-1 value of 1498.18 and an OC of 35.65%. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic diversity of rapeseed and mustard genotypes, providing a foundation for breeding strategies to enhance seed vigor and overall crop performance.