Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance Analysis for Some Morphological Characters in Oilseed Brassica Breeding Lines

Sixty four Brassica breeding lines were investigated for some morphological characters to identify the extent and nature of genetic variability and determine the heritability and genetic advance during 2014 cropping season. Analysis of variance showed the existence of considerable genetic variation among the lines for further selection and hybridization efforts. The maximum number of secondary branches/plant was observed by the breeding line code≠64. The highest yield/plot was recorded by the breeding line code≠48 followed by the breeding line code≠25 and code≠64. Breeding line code≠53 exhibited the maximum 1 000 seed weight. Cluster analysis categorized the breeding lines into nine clusters. All lines were grouped regardless of their pedigree record which might be the result of selection pressure applied on different morphological characters. 71.1% of the variation was explained by the first three principal components as described by the principal component analysis. Number of secondary branches/plant and yield/plot were among the major positive contributor while 1 000 seed weight had negative contribution in the first principal component in which 32% of the variation was explained. These characters also recorded high heritability values in broad sense along with high genetic advance as percent of mean for which early generation selection would be effective in improvement program.