Combining ability analysis in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The combining ability analysis was carried out on ten linseed parents including diverse and elite linesl varieties during 1998–99 as per the procedure suggested by (1). Analysis of variance revealed significant mean squares due to GCA and SCA for all the characters in both the generations except number of tillers plant in F1 and number of seeds capsule in F2 generation. General productivity ratio indicated involvement of non-additive gene action for most of the characters except days to 50% flowering and number of tillers plant in F1 and F2 generat!ons, respectively. For seed yield and fibre yield plant, Shubhdra, Garima and LC-2023 proved good general combiners. Variety Shubhra also showed best performance for numbers plant for tillers, branches and capsules, oil content and harvest index. None of the cross in best specific combiners for all characters. However, in respect to seed yield plant, cross combinations of LC-2023 x NL-93, LCK 9211 x NL93 and Garima x LC-2023 placed infirst category involving both parents having high GCA effect for seed yield plant cross combination LC-2023 x NL -93 performed best for oil content.