Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L).

A study was conducted on eleven advanced linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes (NL-258, NL261, NL-280, NL-287, NL-294, NL-310, NL-312, NL315, NL-321, NL-331, NL-333) and a check variety NL-260 for genetic evaluation at Oilseeds Research Station, Jalgaon. These genotypes were sown in RBD with three replications during rabi 2014–15 at research station. At maturity stage data of eight different yield and its related parameters were recorded. Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance indicated that genotypic mean squares were significant for all the traits. Phenotypic variance was greater than genotypic variance that indicates influence of environment on the traits under study. Heritability estimate values ranged from 0.35% for seed yield per plot to 0.88% for plant height. Heritability estimates for different characters were found higher (0.88) for plant height followed by days to 50% flowering (0.86), 1000 seed weight (0.73) and seeds per capsule (0.68). High heritability estimates indicated that improvement could be made through selection for these characters. Maximum relative expected genetic advance was recorded for plant height (18.35) followed by number of capsules per plant (10.75). Genetic advance as percent of mean was calculated highest for plant height (33.22%) followed by number of capsules per plant (23.55%) and 1000-seed weight (21.51%).