Detection of Genetic Components of Variation for Yield, Fibre and Quality Traits in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The research was carried out using generation mean analysis derived from crosses of TL-11 x Him Alsi-2, Turkey x Binwa and TL-43 x Binwa at two locations i.e. E1 and E2. Out of the three crosses, TL -11 x Him Alsi-2 was the best cross in both the locations. This cross invariably has given 2-3 times higher yield than the remaining crosses. Therefore, the results obtained in the present investigation with respect to the above best cross for generation mean analysis suggested that both additive and dominance gene effects were important for most of the traits but dominance was predominant as compared to additive effects. Duplicate type of gene action was observed in the expression of days to 50 per cent flowering, seed yield per plant, plant height, technical height and fibre traits in E2 for the above cross which implies the use of biparental approach and selection to be deferred to later generations. Complimentary type of gene action was observed for biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant which implies the use of biparental approach and early generation selection. Therefore, it appears worthwhile to go for biparental matings or few cycles of recurrent selection for the accumulation of favourable genes for seed yield and its components in linseed. Different breeding strategy for crosswise as well as location wise is suggested because gene action was different in two locations.