Studies on Genetic Diversity, Correlation and Variability of the Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Genotype

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic advancement, heritability, genetic variability, correlation coefficient and the genetic divergence analysis in forty-five linseed genotypes for sixteen quantitative characters/traits during Rabi 2023-24 at field experimentation centre, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh by using Randomized Block Design in three replications. Moderate GCV along with For Test weight, capsule size, seed size, number of primary branches/plant, number of secondary branches/plant, and high heritability combined with high genetic advance as a percentage of mean was noted. Indicated that most likely the heritability might be due to additive gene effect and selection may be effective in segregating generation for improvement of these traits. Grain yield showed positive significance association with all 16 quantitative characters. Genotype EC-12082 (4.59 g) had maximum grain yield per plant followed by EC-1411CK, EC-990020, EC-10077. When choosing linseed, these traits ought to be prioritized in order to increase yield. According to Mahalanobis D2 analysis five different clusters were created from these genotypes with cluster I as largest cluster having 34 genotypes and rest of the clusters with solitary genotypes. Cluster-I exhibited the highest intra-cluster distance of 13.17 indicating significant variability and diversity within     this cluster and the largest inter-cluster IV and III 148.01 followed by cluster-II and cluster- IV 118.46, cluster-IV and cluster-I   104.58. The study found significant genetic variability in 45 linseed genotypes, with traits like number of branches and seed size showing high heritability, suggesting effective selection for yield improvement and Cluster I having the highest intra-cluster variability and significant inter-cluster differences, highlighting its potential for targeted selection.