Evaluation of Indigenous and Exotic Germplasm of Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson] for Morpho-Physiological and Quality Characters

Abstract

Sixty germplasm accessions from India (27), Australia (25) and China (8) along with 5 check varieties (Bio- 902, Bio-772, PCR-7, Rohini and Varuna) of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] were grown in an augmented block design with four blocks during rabi season of 2007-08 to assess magnitude and nature of variability for morpho-physiological and quality characters. Significant mean sum of squares due to genotypes indicated presence of substantial variability for all the morpho-physiological characters investigated except protein content. Seed yield/plant, secondary branches/plant, biological yield, 1000-seed weight, specific leaf weight at 50% and full flowering, leaf area index at full flowering and total dry matter at 50% flowering had high genetic variability and could be exploited through selection. The Chinese accessions were very late in maturity due to fact that they were selected under long day conditions and no seed could be harvested. Indian varieties such as GM-2, RGN-13, JM-3, VSL-5 and Australian accession JM-018 showed very low saturated fatty acids (<2 %). Oleic acid content in the indigenous germplasm was low varying from 6.0-18.1 % and all had high erucic acid in the range of 31.5% (Basanti)-52.5% (GM-2). The Australian accessions exhibited low erucic acid (< 2 %) and high oleic acid (29.7-58.4%). Glucosinolate content in the indigenous germplasm ranged from 75-136.6 μ moles/g defatted seed meal. In the Australian accessions it was up to 30 μ moles/g defatted seed meal. Several potentials accessions were identified from exotic as well as indigenous germplasm for utilization in the breeding programme.