ABSTRACT Although numerous flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars have been developed worldwide, comprehensive understanding of the relationships among genetic diversity, agronomic performance, and seed quality traits remains limited. To address this gap, 10 indigenous and exotic cultivars were evaluated under uniform agroecological conditions for morphological characteristics, yield performance, bioactive phytochemicals, and seed oil quality. One‐way ANOVA revealed significant varietal effects for most parameters ( p < 0.01). Plant height ranged from 36.48 to 79.87 cm, with Eckendorfi and Royal exhibiting superior growth, while seed yield varied between 3.62 and 4.89 g plant −1 , with Eckendorfi, Antares, and Beyaz Gelin as the top performers. Correlation analysis indicated a strong positive relationship between plant height and technical stem length ( r = 0.903, p < 0.001), and a significant association between 1000‐seed weight and seed yield ( r = 0.721, p < 0.05). Phytochemical composition differed significantly among cultivars ( p < 0.01). The principal lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) was highest in Antares (9.16 mg g −1 ) and BonnyDoon (9.11 mg g −1 ), while BonnyDoon also showed elevated chrysin content (78.77 mg g −1 ). Coordinated phenylpropanoid metabolism was evidenced by strong correlations (catechin hydrate–rutin, r = 0.88, p < 0.01; rosmarinic–chlorogenic acid, r = 0.773, p < 0.05). Lipid traits also varied significantly ( p < 0.01), with maximum oil content in Mapun (24.31%) and α‐linolenic acid in Antares (48.17%), highlighting omega‐3‐rich chemotypes. Principal component analysis differentiated biomass‐oriented cultivars (Eckendorfi, Royal) from lignan‐rich (Antares, BonnyDoon) and flavan‐3‐ol‐dominant types (McDuff, McGregor). These findings identify elite genotypes for dual‐purpose breeding and high‐value nutraceutical applications. Practical application : This study provides a practical framework for selecting flax cultivars with targeted functional traits under uniform growing conditions. The identification of omega‐3 (α‐linolenic acid)‐rich and lignan‐dense genotypes enables researchers and breeders to prioritize high‐value lines for developing nutritionally enhanced foods and functional oil products. The integration of morphological, phytochemical, and lipid profiling offers a reliable approach for screening germplasm with both agronomic performance and health‐promoting properties. In addition, the chemotypic classification supports the design of breeding strategies tailored to specific industrial needs, such as stable oil production, antioxidant‐rich ingredients, or dual‐purpose (fiber and seed) cultivars. These findings can also guide future research on metabolic pathways and genotype selection for improved crop quality and value‐added applications.
Koçak et al. (Fri,) studied this question.