COMPARATIVE ADAPTATION OF CANOLA (BRASSICA-NAPUS) AND INDIAN MUSTARD (BRASSICA-JUNCEA) TO SOIL-WATER DEFICITS - YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Four experiments were conducted comparing yield and yield components o f canola and Indian mustard at different levels of soil water deficit. At least three genotypes of each species were used in the field exper iments and all were matched for phasic development. Mustard produced m ore dry matter than canola (between 9 and 120%) with the biggest incre ases occurring at the greatest soil water deficit. Mustard yielded mor e than twice as much seed as canola under these conditions while there were no yield differences at low deficits. Components of yield differ ed between the two species with mustard having more pods plant(-1) but fewer seeds pod(-1). Oil and protein concentrations of seed responded to drought in a similar manner in both species. The mechanisms by whi ch yield components varied between the two species are discussed in re lation to breeding for higher yields under conditions of water deficit .