Study on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for agro-morphological traits of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Twelve hybrids along with their seven parents were subjected to study the genetic variability indicated that genetic material in the present investigation possessed variability which provides sufficient basis for selection by breeder. High estimates of PCV and GCV were obtained for biological yield per plant and seed yield per plant indicated a good deal of variability in those characters signifying the effectiveness of selection of desirable types for improvement. High heritability was observed for all the traits indicated that the characters under study are less influenced by environment in their expression. All the traits under study showed low genetic advance ranging from 1.68 to 2.05. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean (GAM) were observed for straw yield per plant, seed yield per plant and 1000 seed weight, indicating predominance of additive gene action for these characters. Hence, simple selection based on phenotypic performance of these characters would be more effective.