GENETIC VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OVER ENVIRONMENTS IN INDIAN MUSTARD {Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss}

Genetic variability and character association analysis between seed yield and its components in eight diverse environments were studied in sixty genotypes of Indian mustard. Among the thirteen characters, the higher range was observed for number of secondary branches, number of siliquae on main shoot, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index. The estimates of heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance as percent of mean were high for days to 50% flowering, siliqua length, 1000  seed weight, oil content and harvest index. Correlation  and path coefficient analysis revealed that number of branches,1000 seed weight, biological yield and harvest index were the important characters as these had high direct effects on seed yield and also showed positive correlation with seed yield. Based on their high mean performance, genotypes namely IC 310738, IC 310750, IC 310753, IC 310766, IC 261688, IC 261708, IC 261719, IC 261719, IC 261721, IC 261741, IC 261756, IC 261762 and Vardan were considered as  desirable for use in further breeding programme.