Variability and correlation studies in Ethiopian mustard for yield contributing traits

Abstract:

Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) has drawn increasing interest as a dual-purpose crop for edible oil and industrial biofuel, yet its genetic improvement lags behind other Brassica species because variability patterns and trait relationships in available germplasm are poorly mapped. This research assessed genetic variability, heritability, correlation, and path coefficients for seven yield-related traits in 48 Ethiopian mustard genotypes evaluated at the Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas de Andalucía, Córdoba, Spain, during rabi 2022-23. Seed yield per plant showed the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV, 24.8%) and genetic advance as percentage of mean (42.8%). Siliquae per plant had the strongest genotypic correlation with seed yield (rg = 0.91) and the highest direct path effect (0.428). Heritability estimates were moderate to high (52.4-74.1%) for all traits except oil content. These findings indicate that selection for siliquae per plant and primary branches would be the most effective indirect route to improving seed yield in Ethiopian mustard breeding programmes.