Genetic diversity and inter-relationship between different traits in diverse leafy mustard (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) genotypes’

Leafy Mustard (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) is a well liked leafy vegetable grown in plains as well as hills of Northern India. 31 Mustard genotypes and released varieties were evaluated to devise the extent of genetic diversity. These genotypes were sown in randomized block design with three replications in field and data were observed for seventeen characters. Analysis of coefficient of variation unveiled significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters. The Cluster analysis distributed the 31 genotypes into 6 different clusters based on genetic distance. The D² analysis showed the highest intra cluster distance in cluster III (451.92) having 5 genotypes and the highest inter cluster distance (20529.11) among genotypes. Both Cluster V and cluster VI have one genotype. The higher inter-cluster distances than the intra-cluster distances designated wider genetic diversity of different groups among the genotypes. Clusters V and VI were strikingly diverse from the rest of the clusters (inter-cluster D-value = 148.26). For green leaf yield per plant, Cluster II exhibited the highest mean value of 290.66 g, while Cluster VI had the lowest mean of 253.33 g. The green leaf yield per hectare varied from 328.33 q/ha in Cluster VI to 372.00 q/ha in Cluster V. Cluster III had the highest mean value for protein content at 29.02.Thus, with these outcome, we can affirm that these genotypes were promising and can be utilized for future amelioration programme in leafy mustard.