Descriptors for enhancing utilization of Arivela viscosa (L.) Raf. in crop improvement

Wild mustard ( Arivela viscosa (L.) Raf.), widely known as the Asian spider flower and locally referred to as Jakhiya, is an underutilized yet climate-resilient species with considerable ethnobotanical and agro-ecological importance. Although the species survives and performs well under adverse conditions and offers diverse applications in traditional healthcare, nutrition, biodiesel production, nanotechnology, and sustainable farming systems, its genetic improvement and conservation have been constrained by the lack of standardized phenotypic descriptors. This study addresses this gap by formulating a comprehensive set of agro-morphological descriptors for A. viscosa to support effective germplasm characterization, breeding, and conservation initiatives. A total of 42 accessions conserved in the National Genebank (NGB) of India were evaluated across major growth stages. Traits were organized into 19 qualitative and 17 quantitative traits, covering plant architecture, leaf features, floral attributes, capsule morphology, and seed characteristics. The descriptor set developed in the present study provides a foundational framework for systematic assessment and utilization of A. viscosa , contributing to its advancement as a resilient crop with promising roles in livelihood enhancement, food and nutritional security.