Heterosis and Combining Ability Analysis Oil Content Seed Yield and its Component in Linseed

This study was undertaken to estimate the combining ability in linseed through diallel analysis involving eight diverse genotypes. A 8 x 8 full diallel crosses study, including the reciprocals, with linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) was performed to determine both the magnitude of gene action and heterotic performance of the crosses for seed yield, oil content and important yield components. Field experiments were conducted at the investigation research farm, Nawabganj, C. S. Azad University of agriculture and technology Kanpur. All 56 F1 and F2 hybrids and their parents were sown in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Additive genetic variance is the result of additive gene action whereas non additive variance is made up of dominance and epistasis gene action. The mean squares of the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal combining ability (RCA) were statistically significant for all traits evaluated. The parents RKY-19, OLC-60, PADMINI, TL-27, SJKO-60, T L-11, S- 36 and KL-231were good general combiner for almost the characteristics evaluated. The significant positive batter-parent heterosis values were obtained with several crosses in important yield components. In conclusion, the parents used in this study exhibited positive GCA effects for seed yield. Therefore they could be considered as promising parents in the production of F1 hybrids and in further breeding studies.