Estimates of heterosis for seed yield, components of seed and oil in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

A diallel analysis involving 10 parents and their 45 F₁s for seed yield and 8 other attributes determining quality of seed and oil under four different environments was made to have information on the extent of heterosis and relative magnitude of general and specific combining ability effects. The extent of heterosis over better parent indicated that seed yield was most heterotic character followed by stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and protein content. Most heteroticand the best specific cross, SPS 23–10 x LC 185 for seed yield and oleic acid and Sweta X LCK 152 for lower value of linolenic acid and oleic acid was identified as potential combinations showing considerable scope for exploitation of heterosis inlinseed. It was concluded that selection of cross combination based on heterotic response would be more realistic than that on sca effects.