Assessment of genetic variability, diversity, and identification of promising lines in linseed germplasm for harnessing genetic gain in central plain of the Indian subcontinent

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), cultivated in more than 60 countries, is grown for fiber and oilseed worldwide. Here effort was made to assess the genetic variability in linseed germplasm and identify some promising lines used as parents in the linseed hybridization program. The study was designed with a total of 82 germplasm and a national check in RCBD for genetic variability for 11 agronomic traits. In this study, a considerable variation was observed for all the studied traits by using PCA analysis. It was also found that single plant yield, number of seeds per capsule, and number of capsules are ideal for linseed improvement through the selection in central India. Few high yielding accessions such as RL-10129 and Padmini showed maximum diversity with the popular variety T-397, and can be used in the hybridization program. Similarly, we identified a few potential accessions such as NDL-2013-03, EC-41741, Ruchi, EC-704, RL-10129 to be used as parents in the breeding program.