Genetic variability and character association for seed yield in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) under rainfed conditions

The present investigation was conducted to estimate the genetic variability and character association existing among 21 linseed genotypes including one national check which were evaluated during Rabi 2016-17 under randomised block design having three replications. The data was recorded for days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches per plant, plant height, technical plant height, plant stand per net plot, number of seeds per capsules, number of capsules per plant, days to maturity, harvest index, seed index and seed yield per hectare. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for the all characters studied except number of seeds per capsule and number of primary branches per plant. Technical plant height, number of capsules per plant, harvest index, test weight and number of primary branches per plant exhibited high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) heritability (bs) as well as genetic advance and genetic advance as percent of mean. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that seed yield per hectare exhibited significant and positive correlation both at genotypic and phenotypic level with plant stand per net plot at harvest, number of capsules per plant, test weight and harvest index. Hence, these characters may serve as effective selection criterion for yield improvement.