PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

The present investigation was conducted to assess the association between seed yield and its component traits in F₁ hybrids of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and to identify important characters for selection. Forty-eight F₁ hybrids were evaluated during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications, and observations were recorded for thirteen phenological, morphological, yield-attributing, and quality traits. Analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the genotypes for all traits, suggesting the presence of sufficient variability for selection. Genotypic correlations were generally higher than phenotypic correlations, indicating that the observed associations were largely influenced by genetic factors. Seed yield per plant showed a positive association with harvest index, number of primary branches per plant, oil content, test weight, number of siliquae on the main raceme, and number of seeds per siliqua. Days to 50% flowering and days to maturity showed negative associations with seed yield, indicating the relative advantage of early flowering and early maturing hybrids under the experimental conditions. Path coefficient analysis showed that the number of siliquae on the main raceme exerted the highest positive direct effect on seed yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Test weight, number of primary branches per plant, main raceme length, siliqua length, and days to maturity also showed positive direct effects. The study indicates that selection based on the number of siliquae on the main raceme, test weight, primary branches per plant, main raceme length, and siliqua length may be useful for improving seed yield in Indian mustard.