Current status and future prospects of rapeseed breeding in India

Abstract

Basic results of applied value were obtained from studies on crosses between self-compatible and incompatible varieties of brown sarson, inter-varietal crosses among brown sarson, yellow sarson and toria, well defined single and three-way crosses and 'multiple cross-multiple pollen' hybrids. Some of the complex hybrids have been advanced to F2 and studies were conducted to test the efficiency of intra-population selective hybridization emphasizing choice of female parents in improving the yield of the populations. It was reported that these basic results are not utilized in the breeding programmes currently in vogue in India. It was pointed out that one of the short-term strategies to tone up the yield level of rapeseed in India is to advocate breeding of composite populations using the methods suggested by basic research. The future of rapeseed can be safeguard by propagating composite populations, advocating the concept of replacement in lieu of regeneration of composites when their yield levels deteriorate and strengthening the breeder-seed-producer-farmer link. Well-defined policies allotting the right priority to rapeseed breeding and advocating mono-and mixed cropping in appropriate areas are the need of the hour to ameliorate the low yield levels of rapeseed.