Study of correlation and path coefficient analysis in germplasm lines of Indian mustard (Brasica juncea L.)

An investigation was undertaken to study the correlation and path coefficient analysis of twelve quantitative traits in 30 Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) germplasm lines. The experimental material was evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. Correlation study revealed that harvest index and total biological yield per plant exerted high significant positive correlation coefficients with seed yield at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Seed yield is negatively correlated with days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity which promotes early flowering and early maturing genotypes. Path analysis revealed that harvest index showed maximum positive direct effect, followed by total biological yield per plant, days to maturity, siliquae length at the time of maturity and seed yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Based on result it has been concluded that two traits namely harvest index and total biological yield per plant exerted high correlation as well as direct influence on seed yield may be considered for selection and to improve the seed yield of the mustard genotypes.