Study on the effect of combining ability and gene action on yield and its contributing traits in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

A line x tester analysis using six lines and four testers was carried out to study the combining ability and gene action for seed yield and its related characters in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed a significant difference among the mean squares for lines, testers and crosses for all the traits except the character number of branches per plant which indicated that there was enough variation present in the experimental material. Among the lines, ES-1445 and EC-41741 were the best general combiners for seed yield and its contributing traits. Among the testers, EI-5511 manifested the highest significant GCA effect for seed yield and its attributing characters. These genotypes can be utilized in the breeding programme as parents for the development of superior hybrids. A significantly positive SCA effect for seed yield per plant was reported by the crosses, GS-105 x EI-5511, FR-111 x LSL-93, JLS-395 x GS-09 and EC-41741 x RLC-04. These crosses can be exploited for heterosis breeding by checking their per se performance for seed yield. The ratio of GCA and SCA revealed that there is a preponderance of non-additive gene action for yield influencing characters such as number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, harvest index (%) and seed yield per plant (g) and exploitation of heterosis is beneficial for such characters.