Assessment of genetic diversity based on agro-morphological traits in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] germplasm

In the present study, a set of 36 Indian mustard genotypes were evaluated in three replications for twelve agro-morphological traits. D² analysis was done to study the diversity pattern which enabled the grouping of genotypes into 11 clusters. Cluster I was the largest (D²=7.53) comprising of 20 genotypes followed by cluster II (D²=7.20) of 7 genotypes, while other 9 clusters contained one genotype each. Estimates of average inter cluster distance revealed that clusters IX and XI were most divergent (D²=118.49) followed by clusters V and XI (D²=88.48). Hence, crossing between genotypes Pusa Agrani x Rohini (cluster IX x cluster XI); PM-28 x Rohini (cluster V x cluster XI) may yields a considerable amount of heterosis in F₁ generation. Days to maturity (31.9%) had the highest contribution, followed by seed yield per plant (25.4%), days to 50% flowering (13.33%), beak length (7.30%) and 1000 seed weight (6.67%) towards the observed genetic diversity. Selection for divergent parents based on concerned traits could enhance the development of transgressive segregants with increased vigor in Indian mustard.