Trait profiling for yield improvement in Indian mustard using multivariate and radar plot analyses

The study was performed to estimate genetic variability, selection parameters, principal component analysis (PCA) and radar plot (spider) analysis using 55 genotypes which were evaluated during Rabi season 2023-2024 at the Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelUniversity of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, for 13 traits with three replications. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences for all traits. A higher phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was observed compared to the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for the respective traits. High PCV and GCV values were recorded for seed yield and harvest index. High genetic advance coupled with high heritability was observed for seed yield, number of branches on the main raceme, test weight and siliqua length. Radar plot analysis revealed significant multi-trait variability among the traits. At both genotypic and phenotypic levels, seed yield revealed a positive significant association with number of siliquae on the main raceme, length of main raceme, siliqua length, seeds per siliqua and test weight. A high direct effect on seed yield was observed through harvest index and biological yield in path coefficient analysis. The cumulative percentage of explained variance by the three principal components with Eigenvalues greater than one was 80.15 %. Radar plot analysis revealed that the genotype RH-725 × Pusa Agrani and Pusa Agrani × CS-60 were identified as promising high-yielding and highoil content, respectively. The study revealed that traits such as seed yield, test weight, harvest index, siliqua length and genotypes RH-725 × Pusa Agrani, RH-725 × Kranti, Pusa Agrani × CS-60 and Pusa Bold × CS-60 can be further used for breeding programs.