Combining ability and heterosis for seed yield and oil content in linseed (Linum usitatissimum)*

Abstract

Combining ability analysis was carried out in linseed during 2006–07 following line×tester design for 10 quantitative characters using 8 females and 3 males. The study revealed the importance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of all the traits and stresses the need for its exploitation either through heterosis breeding or suitable population improvement programme. ‘NPRR 273’, ‘RSJ 2’ and ‘TL 27’ were good general combiners for seed yield and its related attributes. Correspondence between SCA effects and crosses mean was observed, while it was absent between GCA effects and parental mean. Higher level of residual heterosis in three crosses ‘EC 1424’בTL 11’, ‘NPRR 482’בTL 11’ and ‘EC 1424’בTL 37’ was recorded for oil content. In general crosses originating from poor×good general combiners produced heterotic hybrids with substantial SCA effects. Five crosses ‘RSJ 2’בTL 27’, ‘EC1424’בTL 27’, ‘NPRR 273’בTL 37’, ‘RAULD 7810’בTL 11’ and ‘EC3183’בTL 37’ were most promising having good SCA effects for seed yield / plant and considered potential for the development of improved varieties of linseed.