The Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Response of selection in F₂ generation for main shoot length, seeds per siliqua, seed mass and seed yield was studied in F_s generation. Observations were recorded on individual plant basis in F₂ generation of 3 crosses of Indian mustard (B. juncea L.) for each trait. Five plants with high and five with low values were selected for each trait. On the other hand a bulk was constituted by taking one seed from each plant in each cross. These selected plants as well as the constructed bulks were raised to advance from F₃ to F₄ generation. In F₅ generation, comparisons were made between high and low selections for each trait as well as between high selection and bulk. It was observed that differences between high and low selection were non-significant for all traits except seed mass. On the other hand mean values under bulk were comparable to that of high selection group for each trait. Bulk was advised to be followed in early generation. Transgressive segregants were more frequent for main shoot length; seeds per siliqua and seed yield than for seed mass. The change in relationship between seed mass and seeds per siliqua from F₂ to F₅ turned to be negative.