Estimates of genetic variability, correlation andpath analysis inrapeseed (Brassica napus L.) for seed yield and yield related traits

An experiment was conducted to study genetic variability and trait association of seed yield and related traits of rapeseed genotype. The minimum days to first and 100% flowering was observed in Tori followed by BNR-026 (31.66 days) and BNR-028 (33.66 days). Minimum days to maturity also observed in Tori followed by BNR016 (79.33) and BNR-027 (80 days). Wide range of variation was observed in number of pods per plant and the highest in the genotype Tori. But the highest number of seeds per pod was observed in BNR027 and minimum in the Tori. Thousand seed weight was the maximum in BNR-030 and minimum in BNR-038. The highest seed yield per plant was found in the genotype Tori and the lowest in the line BNR-024. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits. High heritability and high genetic advance as percent of mean was obtained for number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, days to 100% flowering. High heritability along with moderate genetic advance was found for days to maturity and thousand seed weight. The highest positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were observed between days to 100% flowering and days to maturity (0.92^** and 0.90^**, respectively). On the other hand, the highest negative and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were found between days to maturity and thousand seed weight (-0.38^** and -0.37^**, respectively). The path coefficient analysis showed maximum positive direct effect of number of pods per plant on seed yield per plant followed by 1000-seeds weight. The highest positive indirect effect was noticed in number of primary branches per plant followed by pod length. The highest negative direct effect was found for number of branches per plant on seed yield followed by plant height and pod length.