Applying correlation and path coefficient to study genetic variability in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The comparison of mean performance of 66 linseed entries for 10 quantitative traits using least significant differences revealed existence of very high level of variability in germplasm collections. The genotype Gewargi 1-2 produced highest seed yield per plant (10.09 g) and also showed highest mean performance for number of capsules per plant, harvest index and number of primary branches per plant. Seed yield per plant exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with harvest index (0.834), biological yield per plant (0.702). Number of capsules per plant exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with secondary branches per plant (0.754), primary branches per plant (0.424), days to 50% flowering (0.354) while number of capsules per plant showed non-significant positive correlation with plant height (0.219). The highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant was exerted by harvest index (0.7118) followed by biological yield per plant (0.5348). Correlation coefficient studies indicated days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches and test weight have non-significant and positive correlation with seed yield per plant but it was significantly and negatively correlated with days to maturity. Path analysis identified biological yield per plant followed by harvest index, as major direct contributors towards seed yield per plant, while number of capsules per plant, test weight and plant height emerged as most important indirect yield components.