An approach to population improvement in self compatible turnip-rape

Abstract

A total of 233 single plant selection were made from diverse sources of self-incompatible brown-seeded turnip-rape [Brassica rapa (Linn.) The4ll, emend, Metzger var. napus Linn. Sensu stricto]. The progenies were tested for important attributes during 1978-79. Ten initial gene pools were constituted with the genotypes selected based on critical norm fixed for corresponding component character. An additional population was constituted with genotypes following beyond the critical mean for 5 out of 10 yield attributes. Intra-genepool selective mating in each resulted in high-yielding population, particularly in population where the number of primary branches, plant biomass and single-plant yield were considered for improvement. The study stressed the importance of method of (A) selection of genotypes and (B) selective mating within population in bringing about an overall improvement of seed yield in brown-seeded turnip-rape.