Combining Ability and Rank Correlations in a Diallel Cross of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

SUMMARYA diallel cross study on Indian mustard revealed a preponderance of additive gene action for seven characters out of the nine studied. Plant height and seeds per siliqua seemed to be controlled by both additive and non-additive gene action. Days to flower, number of secondary branches, length of main branch, number of siliquae on the main branch, length of siliqua and yield per plant were mainly controlled by additive gene action, whereas oil content was determined mainly by non-additive gene action. Heterosis was prevalent and the maternal effect was not generally apparent in the crosses. Rank correlations established a positive correlation between performance per se and GCA, and between heterosis and SCA.