Sclerotinia stem rot is one of the utmost important disease of mustard, causing considerable losses in seed yield and oil quality. The study of the genetic and proteomic basis of resistance to this disease is imperative for its effective utilization in developing resistant cultivars. Therefore, the genetic pattern of Sclerotinia stem rot resistance in Indian mustard was studied using six generations (P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, BC₁P₁, and BC₁P₂) developed from the crossing of one resistant (RH 1222-28) and two susceptible (EC 766300 and EC 766123) genotypes. Genetic analysis revealed that resistance was governed by duplicate epistasis. Comparative proteome analysis of resistant and susceptible genotypes indicated that peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (A0A078IDN6 PPIase) showed high expression in resistant genotype at the early infection stage while its expression was delayed in susceptible genotypes. This study provides important insight to mustard breeders for designing effective breeding programs to develop resistant cultivars against this devastating disease.

Understanding the mode of gene action that controls seed yield and Sclerotinia stem rot resistance in Indian mustard is critical for boosting yield potential. In a line × tester mating design, ten susceptible lines and four resistant testers were used to conduct genetic analysis. The significance of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were involved in the inheritance of Sclerotinia stem rot resistance and yield attributing traits. In addition to 1000-seed weight and number of primary and secondary branches/plant, the genotypes RH 1569 (line) and DRMR 2035 (tester) appeared to be the strongest general combiners for Sclerotinia stem rot resistance. RH 1657 × EC 597317 was the only cross among several that demonstrated a significant desired SCA value for Sclerotinia rot resistance. Regarding SCA effects for yield and component traits, the cross RH 1658 × EC 597328 performed best, with a non-significant but acceptable negative SCA effect for resistance. DRMR 2035, RH 1222-28, RH 1569, RH 1599-41, RH 1657, RH 1658, and EC 597328 are promising genotypes to use as parents in future heterosis breeding and for obtaining populations with high yield potential and greater resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot disease in Indian mustard, based on GCA effects of parents, per se performance, and SCA effects of hybrids. Days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches/plant, main shoot length, and 1000-seed weight all had a high genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV), broad-sense heritability (h²bs), and genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) values, as well as significant and desirable correlations and direct effects on seed yield. As a result, these traits have been recognized as the most critical selection criterion for Indian mustard breeding programs.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an ancient oilseed crop, is cultivated in central and northern India under rainfed conditions during the kharif season. Despite its high oil and protein content, sesame cultivation area and production remain low due to various reasons. This study conducted at CCS HAU, Hisar, aimed to improve sesame yield through plant breeding by examining correlation and path analysis. This trial was conducted using augmented RCBD and data was recorded on traits including plant height(cm), primary branches plant^-1, secondary branches plant^-1, number of capsules plant^-1, and seed yield plant^-1. Genotypic correlations showed that seed yield plant^-1 positively correlated with the number of capsules plant^-1 (r = 0.854**), primary branches plant^-1 (r = 0.602**), secondary branches plant^-1 (r = 0.283*) and slightly negatively with plant height (r = -0.064). Path analysis indicated the number of capsules plant^-1 had the highest direct effect on seed yield plant^-1 (0.769) followed by primary branches plant^-1. The study concludes that enhancing primary branches plant^-1 and capsules plant^-1 while managing plant height can significantly boost sesame yield.