Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab
A diallel cross involving ten varieties of linseed of ecogeographically diverse origin was studied for combining ability. General combining ability was predominant for all the yield components whereas for seed yield specific combining ability was more important. Parents EI 59140, Golden Selection and N.P. (RR)9 were high general combiners for yield. Seven crosses possessed highly significant specific combining ability effects for yield and capsule number. Most of the combinations with high specific combining ability involved at least one high combining parent but one average X low combination also gave high specific effects. Genetic diversity seemed to play an important role in determining combining ability.
