Study on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and its contributing traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The investigation was undertaken in 8 ' 8 diailel crosses (excluding reciprocals) of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) with a view to assess the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in respect to yield components. A considerable amount of variability among 36 treatments for the traits studied indicated the usefulness of selection for these traits in the genetic material used for future improvement in linseed. High value of phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV), closely followed by genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) for harvest index, number of capsule per plant, seed yield per plant, number of secondary branches per plant and biological yield per plant indicating the little environment effect on the expression of these characters. Remaining characters showed moderate to low PCV and GCV values. High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance in per cent of mean was recorded for harvest index, seed yield per plant and number of capsules per plant offered scope for improvement through selection. Moderate or high heritability along with low genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for remaining characters indicated selection is not much affected for these traits.