Genetic Resources of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) – Conservation and Utilization in Crop Improvement

Linseed is one of the important oilseed and fibre-yielding crops of India. India is the third largest producer in the world. However, the average national productivity (403 Kg/ha) is far below the world average (851 Kg/ha), predominantly owing to the susceptibility of the cultivars to biotic and abiotic stresses. With the inception of Coordinated Research Project on linseed significant progress has been made in the varietal development. The development of about 56 high yielding, disease resistant varieties suitable for different agro-climatic zones has helped in improving not only the productivity but also addressing various biotic and abiotic stresses. Resistant sources have been identified for the disease like rust [Melampsora lini (Pers.) Lev.], wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. lini), powdery mildew (Oidium lini Skoric), leaf spot (Alternaria lini Dey) and pests such as linseed gall midge (Dasyneura lini Barnes) and linseed semilooper (Plusia orichalcea Fabr.). Nevertheless, due to narrow genetic base of the released varieties, concerted efforts are required to breed varieties involving distant and exotic germplasm, preferably from main centres of diversity, to produce varieties with higher level of resistance and productivity. Present paper deals with the status of varietal germplasm and sources of resistance available for the effective utilization of linseed germplasm at National level.