Performance, heterosis, and inbreeding depression of flax genotypes (Linum usitatissimum L.) for the factorial mating design.

Seven genotypes of flax were used in this study, four of which were male parents (Sakha 1, Sakha 2, Sakha 3, and Sakha 5), three of which were female parents (Sakha 6, Giza 8, and Syrian), 12 hybrids from the second generation, and 12 hybrids from the third generation according to Factorial Mating Design. The results showed that parent 6 led to an increase in traits of No. of capsule plant-1, No. of seeds in capsule-1, and the biological yield, which amounted to (44.00 capsule plant-1, 8.00 seed capsule-1, and 12.11 ton ha-1), respectively. In the second generation, the 2x7 hybrid excelled in terms of the No. of seeds in capsule-1and the biological yield, reaching (8.00 seed capsule-1 and 12.13 ton ha-1), respectively. In the third generation, the 2x7 hybrid showed an increase in traits of No. of seeds in capsule-1, seed yield, and biological yield, reaching (8.00 seed capsule-1, 2.73 ton ha-1, and 12.13 ton ha-1), respectively. In the second generation, the 2x7 hybrid showed significant heterosis at the 1% probability level in trait No. of capsule plant-1, No. of seeds in capsule-1, seed yield, and biological yield. In the third generation, the hybrid showed superiority in all the studied traits. While no hybrid showed negative or positive significance for genetic deterioration by internal breeding. The flax plant is considered one of the important crops as it is classified as a complementary food, as flax seeds are used as an important food grain and are used in traditional medicine by humans because of their many health benefits