Exploitation of heterosis in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

Heterosis was estimated for 55 hybrids for eight different characters and was expressed as increase or decreaseover superior parent. Hybrids in which R-17, Gaurav and Shubhra were involved as female parents and 1/76 andShubhra as male parents exhibited highest positive heterosis for most of the characters. This indicated the presence of higher frequency of additive alleles in these parents. Hybrids viz., Gaurav x 1/76 and Shubhra x 1/76 were found superior in respect of seed yield/plant, primary branches/plant, number of capsules/plant and 100-seed weight.