Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.) for Seed Yield and it's Contributing Attributes Under Normal and Saline/Alkaline Condition

Twenty diverse genotypes of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss. ) with four checks were evaluated for thirteen quantitative traits under normal condition (NS) and saline/alkaline condition (SS). The variability studies indicated that high PCV (phenotypic coefficient of variability) and GCV (genotypic coefficient of variability) was observed in case of secondary branches/plant, biological yield/plant and seed yield/plant in both the conditions (NS and SS) while moderate PCV and GCV was observed in case of number of primary branches/plant, length of main raceme, seeds/ siliquae and harvest index in both the conditions (NS and SS). Days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity in NS and in SS, days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity and plant height showed lower PCV and GCV. High heritability in broad sense was noted for all the characters in both the conditions (NS and SS) except for days to 50 % flowering and primary branches/plant in NS and days to maturity in SS which showed moderate heritability while high genetic advance as % of mean was noted for all the characters except for days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, plant height, primary branches/plant and oil content in both the conditions (NS and SS). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was observed for secondary branches per plant followed by plant height, length of main raceme, siliquae on main raceme, 1000-seed weight, biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index in NS and in SS, it was for secondary branches per plant followed by primary branches per plant, length of main raceme, siliquae on main raceme, seeds per siliqua, 1000-seed weight, biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index, indicating the involvement of additive gene action. Hence, emphasis should be given to select these quantitative traits to enhance the yield potential of Indian mustard in normal as well as saline/alkaline condition.