Characterization and Evaluation of Asian Mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan.)-An Endangered Oilseed Crop of Northwestern India

Asian mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan.), an endangered oilseed crop, is cultivated in the parts of north-western India. This crop is known to have genes for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, therefore, attempts were made to collect, evaluate and conserve its genetic resources for further utilization. A total of 18 accessions were grown consecutively for three crop seasons in randomized block design for characterization and evaluation using twelve minimal morpho-agronomic traits. Promising accessions were identified for different economic traits, which may be useful for developing disease, pest and drought resistant varieties, cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines as well as for developing hybrids. Moreover, Geographical Information System (GIS) tools were also used to understand distribution of diversity/variability in the collected germplasm.