Tarkeshwar, Shiva Nath, S.K.S. Rajpoot, Mahendra Singh, L.B. Gaur, Neha Jha and Vikash Singh
Abstract
The current study examined correlations and path effects for 12 traits on seed yield in 60 mustard genotypes plus three checks (Kranti, NDR-8501, Pusa Mustard 22), grown in Augmented Block Design at A.N.D.U.A.T., Ayodhya, during 2021-22 winter. Traits included days to flowering and maturity, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, raceme length, siliquae number, seeds per siliqua, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index. Early flowering correlated negatively with secondary branches (-0.418), raceme length (-0.524), siliquae (-.286), seeds per siliqua (-0.351), biological yield (-0.349), and seed yield (-0.286), but positively with maturity (0.433) and height (0.556). Late maturity linked to taller plants (0.612) and higher harvest index (0.367), but fewer secondary branches (-0.487) and shorter racemes (-0.566). Path analysis revealed strongest direct positive effects from biological yield (1.0019) and harvest index (1.0073) on seed yield, followed by seeds per siliqua, primary branches, and 1000-seed weight; negative direct effects came from flowering, maturity, height, secondary branches, and siliquae. Indirect effects via biological yield and harvest index amplified impacts, with low residual factor (0.0518). Breeders should target early-flowering genotypes with high biological yield and harvest index to boost seed yield.