Morpho-physiological determinants of yield under water stress condition in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L) Czern&Coss)

The screening of 25 newly evolved and released varieties of Indian mustard under dryland situation revealed wide genetic variation for primary and secondary branches, dry root weight siliquae on main shoot, root Pulling strength and seed yield Genetic variation was low for days to first flowering 1000-seed weight; plant height; harvest index and number of seeds per siliqua. The broad sense heritability was higher for days to first flowering 1000-seed weight and yield. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations were of high order in respect of primary branches secondary branches and number of siliquae on main shoot with seed yield. The number of siliquae on main shoot was positively correlated with reproductive period, primary and secondary branches. However, the characters root pulling strength, dry root weight, harvest index, 1000-seed weight and days to flowering had very poor relationship with the other characters. Partitioning of the correlation with yield envisaged that number of primary branches, reproductive period and days to flowering had direct effects. These characters along with some independent characters like root pulling strength, dry root weight and harvest index are amenable for further improvement under dryland conditions in few selection cycles.