Breeder Seed Research Articles

Improvement of Genetic Purity of Breeder Seed by Introducing Line Cultivation Method for Myanmar’s Major Rice Cultivars

Aims: Since the genetic purity of rice seed significantly affects paddy yield and quality, many rice production countries have been attempting to improve seed quality. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of breeder seed production using line cultivation to ensure traceability of ancestral information by line and individual selection, to improve the genetic purity of breeder seed in Myanmar that has been degraded due to pedigree mixtures.
 Study Design: Observational and analytic study design was used to evaluate the effect of the introduction of line cultivation method in practical activities of breeder seed production in Myanmar under the project for improvement of seed purity of breeder seed.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Research at Yezin, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar, from June 2012 to December 2016.
 Methodology: Using nine major rice cultivars in Myanmar, the line cultivation method was evaluated through measurement of the standard deviation and the variance component ratio in heading date, culm length, panicle length, and panicle number from 2012 to 2016. DNA polymorphism analysis by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was also conducted using breeder seed of the Sinthukha variety multiplied in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 for the evaluation.
 Results: Standard deviations of heading date, culm length, panicle length and panicle number in 2016 were significantly decreased compared to the first year of the introduction of the line cultivation method. Average heading duration among sister lines of all varieties was reduced from 8.25 days in 2013 to 5.25 days in 2016, and the uniformity of heading time among sister lines was improved. The variance component ratio of each trait in 2016 was the highest since 2013. The analysis of breeder seed by SSR markers revealed that the DNA polymorphism ratio of Sinthukha seed in 2016 was lower than that of 2013. This demonstrated that Sinthukha seed in 2016 had improved genetic purity. Consequently, it is considered that other cultivars multiplied by the line cultivation method have improved their genetic purity as well.
 Conclusion: Line cultivation is an effective method to improve genetic purity and maintain genetic stability of the breeder seed in Myanmar’s rice cultivars. Genetically pure breeder seed would improve quality of downstream seed such as certified seed. Consequently, it is expected that productivity and quality of rice will be improved thus income of farmers will increase.

Патогенная микрофлора семян подсолнечника из звеньев первичного семеноводства

Патогенная микрофлора семян подсолнечника из звеньев первичного семеноводства

Economic analysis of captivity maize hybrid supporting food self-sufficiency in South Sulawesi

Strategies adopted in the effort to achieve food self-sufficiency is through the provision of quality seeds of new high-yielding varieties in accordance with farmers’ preferences. The availability of quality seeds in sufficient quantities, on time and easily obtained by farmers plays an important role. Farmers often experience significant losses, both in terms of cost and time, due to the use of low quality seeds. Therefore, although plant growth and production is greatly influenced by climatic conditions and farming practices, it is important to remember the importance of quality selection seeds to be used. Propagation of corn starts from the provision of seed types 1) Breeder Seed (BS) 2) Foundation seed (FS), 3) Stock seed (SS) dan 4) Extension seed (ES). Continuity of the seed multiplication plot is very influential on the availability of seed sources in accordance with needs seed producers / breeders and determine the process of seed dispersal production. The smooth flow of seed propagation also greatly determines the speed of spread of new high yielding varieties. In a financial analysis study on corn breeding farming that has been carried out in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, it shows that farming in one planting season can get a profit of IRD 37.975.000,00. Circumstances where deep farming operation does not make a profit and does not suffer losses if it is able to produce seed as much as 678 kg While the payback period for investment / PBP (Pay Back Period) is 0,95. Therefore, hybrid maize farming is said to be very feasible where each using a cost of IRD. 1, - or one rupiah can get a benefit of IRD. 2,54

Paradox of Rice Seed System in India

Importance of rice in agrarian economy of India is enormous. In order to meet demand of this staple crop for increasing population, productivity enhancement is a key research and development agenda. Improving seed replacement rate is widely held as a critical area to boost rice productivity in the country. This study based on secondary data revealed merely sowing quality seeds may not result in desired level of yield increase unless quality seeds of a good and appropriate variety is sown. Punjab, with its 38% SRR, registers 3.97 ton per ha yield whereas it is just 1.51 ton per ha in Chattisgarh where SRR is 44%. There are many varieties, quite older than stipulated 10 years, that are largely indented and grown due to lack of substitutes and poor varietal awareness. Because of this slow varietal awareness and replacement, rice yield still stagnates despite seeds are of assured quality. This shows varietal replacement rate is as important as seed replacement rate. The available studies also indicate that current seed system further needs to rationalize variety selection, production and multiplication of breeder seeds for ensuring seed security of farmers and this should be supplemented by measures taken to promote varietal promotion and replacement, quality seed production interventions at farmers’ level, and decentralized seed production system.

Estimation of genetic advance, heritability, genetic gain and genetic diversity of elite genotypes of grain cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.

The present investigation was conducted during kharif 2018 to evaluate forty-two genotypes including five checks, Pant Lobia 1, Pant Lobia 2, Pant Lobia 3, Pant Lobia 4 and Pant Lobia 5 of grain cowpea at Breeder Seed Production Centre to estimate genetic divergence, variability, heritability, genetic advance. Analysis of variance showed the presence of significant amount of variability in all the characters studied. Genetic divergence was performed by D-square statistics. Genotypes were divided into 8 clusters. Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster VI and VII while maximum intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster V. Mean values of different characters between different clusters was observed maximum for number of seeds per pod. Inter-cluster distance was higher than intra-cluster distance. High estimates phenotypic and genotypic variance was observed for yield per hectare. High estimate of PCV and GCV was observed for yield per plot. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, yield per hectare and yield per plant. Moderate heritability and genetic advance were observed for days to 50% flowering while low heritability with low genetic advance was observed for leaf length. In the present investigation, on the basis of mean performance of genotypes PGCP 24, GCP 219 and GCP 378 were found superior of all the genotypes. Earliest 50% flowering was observed in Phule PCP 1124 and GCP-360 which is considered most important and desirable character in cowpea. Three genotypes namely, GCP 345 and GC 3 were identified as the most diversified and could be utilized in future crop improvement programmes.

Assessment of the association between yield parameters and polymorphic sites of the Ghd7 locus in a core-set of rice cultivars grown in Sri Lanka

Yield improvement is a major aspect in rice breeding programs. Ghd7 is a pleiotropic gene which regulates yield, plant height, and heading date in rice. Although Ghd7 has been previously cloned and sequenced in several other rice cultivars, none of the studies have been conducted for Sri Lankan rice germplasm. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the yield performance of 12 rice cultivars, genetic polymorphism of Ghd7 locus and associations between DNA markers and yield traits. Breeder seeds of the selected cultivars were obtained from RRDI, Bathalagoda, and established under greenhouse conditions at Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in Maha and Yala seasons, 2017. The cultivars were subjected to morphometric analysis, genotyped for 12 DNA markers and sequenced at Seq7-8 locus. Morphometric data were subjected to single marker analysis using General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS 9.4. Here we reported six marker haplotypes based on the arrangement of 13 DNA maker alleles at Ghd7. Moreover, twenty-three SNP/INDEL variations at Seq7-8 locus revealed close genetic relationships between the rice cultivars Bg 90-2, Bg 352 and At 307, Bg310. Four polymorphic markers (Seq7-8, Seq1-2, RM5436 and RM5346) were significantly associated with rice yield traits so that they could be used in marker assisted selection. The SNPs/INDELs of Ghd7 were significantly associated with all the yield traits except 100 seed weight and 100 endosperm weight. Thus the present study demonstrate the possibility of employing marker assisted breeding to improve rice yield using the polymorphic genomic information at Ghd7 locus.

Assessing area, production and return with rice varieties of NRRI, Cuttack

The ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack in Odisha develops varieties and agro-technologies for enhancing and sustaining rice production. The Institute so far has released 133 high-yielding varieties of rice for various ecosystems. Some of the varieties have been very popular among the farmers and even became ruling varieties in some states. However, there are no reports on the area covered by NRRI varieties and its impact on incremental gain in farm income. In the present study, area covered by NRRI varieties in the country during 2017-18 was estimated based on the amount of quality seeds provided to the farmers through various ways: breeder seed indent to the DAC; breeder seed and truthfully-labeled seed supplied by the NRRI farm; participatory seed production by NRRI; seed distributed in various programmes and projects of the Institute; front-line demonstrations and on-farm testing; seed of NRRI varieties supplied by the private entrepreneurs and disseminated from farmers to farmers etc. A validation exercise was conducted to cross-check the estimated areas under NRRI varieties. The analysis showed that currently NRRI varieties cover about 8.0 million ha (Mha) i.e., 18% of rice area of the country. West Bengal has the largest area of 2.26 Mha, followed by Odisha with 2.18 Mha. Total production of rice with NRRI varieties is 27.80 million tons (Mt) with the value of Rs.48,643 crores per annum. Further, incremental production and income with NRRI varieties considering 5% more than the existing popular varieties is estimated to be 1.39 Mt and Rs.2,432 crores per annum, respectively. Over the years, indents of breeder seed (BS) of NRRI varieties have increased considerably indicating growing popularities of NRRI varieties among the farmers in different states.

Assessing area, production and return with rice varieties of NRRI, Cuttack

The ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack in Odisha develops varieties and agro-technologies for enhancing and sustaining rice production. The Institute so far has released 133 high-yielding varieties of rice for various ecosystems. Some of the varieties have been very popular among the farmers and even became ruling varieties in some states. However, there are no reports on the area covered by NRRI varieties and its impact on incremental gain in farm income. In the present study, area covered by NRRI varieties in the country during 2017-18 was estimated based on the amount of quality seeds provided to the farmers through various ways: breeder seed indent to the DAC; breeder seed and truthfully-labeled seed supplied by the NRRI farm; participatory seed production by NRRI; seed distributed in various programmes and projects of the Institute; front-line demonstrations and on-farm testing; seed of NRRI varieties supplied by the private entrepreneurs and disseminated from farmers to farmers etc. A validation exercise was conducted to cross-check the estimated areas under NRRI varieties. The analysis showed that currently NRRI varieties cover about 8.0 million ha (Mha) i.e., 18% of rice area of the country. West Bengal has the largest area of 2.26 Mha, followed by Odisha with 2.18 Mha. Total production of rice with NRRI varieties is 27.80 million tons (Mt) with the value of Rs.48,643 crores per annum. Further, incremental production and income with NRRI varieties considering 5% more than the existing popular varieties is estimated to be 1.39 Mt and Rs.2,432 crores per annum, respectively. Over the years, indents of breeder seed (BS) of NRRI varieties have increased considerably indicating growing popularities of NRRI varieties among the farmers in different states.

Productivity, profitability, quality and nutrient uptake of heat tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars as influenced by staggered sowing and nutrition levels

In the present investigation, we investigated the effects of staggered sowing and nutrition levels on productivity, profitability, quality and nutrient uptake of heat tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars during rabi season of 2014-16 at the Breeder Seed Production Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Soil of the experimental plot was clay in texture, medium in organic carbon and available NPK with neutral pH (7.4). Experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The main plots consisted of three staggered sowing, i.e. 30th November, 20th December and 10th January and three nutrition levels, viz. RDF (120:60:40 kg NPK/ha), 20% higher RDF and 20% lesser RDF, while three heat tolerant varieties, viz. MP 1203, MP 3336 and GW 173 were allotted in sub-plot. Results revealed that among the sowing time, grain yield (4.20 t/ha), straw yield (5.04 t/ha), biological yield (9.25 t/ha) and harvest index (45.3%) had recorded significantly higher in 30th November sowing. Crop sown on 30th November had increased the grain yield by 11.7 and 37.7% over that of 20th December and 10th January sowing, respectively. Among the nutrition levels, 20% higher RDF had recorded significantly higher grain yield (4.01 t/ha), straw yield (4.84 t/ha), biological yield (7.78 t/ha) and harvest index (45.1%) compared to RDF and 20% lesser RDF. Application of 20% higher RDF increased the grain yield to the tunes of 9.8 and 19.7% compared to RDF and 20% lesser RDF, respectively. Significantly higher grain yield was recorded with MP 3336 (4.05 t/ha) compared to MP1203 (3.59 t/ha) and GW173 (3.36 t/ha). Crop sown on 30th November had significantly higher gross returns (` 79218/ ha), net returns (` 55873/ha) and B:C ratio (3.39), respectively. Application of 20% higher RDF had maximum gross returns (` 75684/ha), net returns (` 51360/ha) and B: C ratio (3.11), respectively. MP 3336 had higher gross returns (` 76634/ha), net returns (` 53289/ha) and B: C ratio (3.28). Sowing on 30th November had significant superiority in nutrient content (NPK) in grain and straw as well as their uptake by crop. These attributes had significantly higher with application of 20% higher RDF. MP 3336 had higher NPK contents in grain and straw than that to MP 1203 and GW-173. Protein content had higher in 30th November sowing (16.01%). Application of 20% higher RDF had better protein content (15.43%). MP 3336 had markedly higher protein content (15.63%). Carbohydrate equivalent and carbon output had higher when crop sown on 30th November (3.0 and 4.1 /ha) along with 20% higher RDF (2.9 and 3.7 t/ha) in MP 3336 (2.9 and 4.0 t/ha), respectively. Therefore, sowing of heat tolerant wheat cv. MP 3336 on 30th November along with application of 20% higher RDF were proved the most ideal approach to achieve the higher productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake under the irrigated ecosystem of Madhya Pradesh.

Effect of seed coating, storage periods and storage containers on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seed quality under ambient conditions

Soybean seed is classified as “poor storer” as it loses viability under warm and humid conditions and is invaded by storage fungi. The seed of soybean variety PS 1347, obtained from Breeder Seed Production Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar was used for storage study. Root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g) and seedling dry weight (g) decreases with the increase in seed storage periods. Out of all chemical treatments, Flowable thiram @ 2.4 ml/kg (T2) and Polymer + vitavax 200 @ 2g/kg seed (T5) were found effective to maintain Seedling root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight by producing vigorous seedlings. Seeds stored in cloth bags exhibited higher seed infection than in seed stored in polythene bags, irrespective of seed treatment and period of storage. Treatment T4 (Vitavax 200 @ 2 g/kg seed)and T5(Polymer + vitavax 200 @ 2 g/kg seed) exhibited minimum percent seed infection of Aspergillus flavus. Cloth bag was not found safe for longer storage of soybean seeds under ambient storage at Pantnagar.

Efficacy of some insecticides against Thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom cowpea crop ecosystem

The study was conducted to determine efficacy of insecticides against Thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom on cowpea grown at field experiments were conducted at Breeder Seed Production Centre, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 2014.The most effective treatment for the control of thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom was seed treatment with fipronil @ 3 ml/kg + spray with fipronil @ 5 ml/lt with maximum reduction (70.06%) in the thrips population of cowpea while lowest effective treatment for the control of thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom was seed treatment with imidacloprid 17.8SL @ 10ml/kg + spray with monocrotophos 36SL @ 2ml/lt with minimum reduction (16.02%) in the thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom population of cowpea crop.

Basics of safe drying of seeds

In seed-production farms, the temperature of drying agent is often limited by the maximum permissible temperature of heating; the simultaneous moisture removal is 3-6%; seeds are dried to a moisture content that exceeds the normal one by 2-3%; the layer is stirred several times during drying process. All of this increases the process cost and could lead to crop losses. The paper analyzes the essential factors influencing the safe drying of seeds in dense layer. It is found that along with the maximum permissible temperature of heating, account must be taken of the rate of dehydration, the specific surface of seeds, the heat transfer coefficient and the unevenness of moisture of basic material and of a dried-up one. The estimation of parameters for safe drying of seeds is carried out on the basis of mathematical models and well-known empirical expressions of the heat resistance and maximum permissible moisture removal. The article proposes the calculation of drying agent temperature that ensures the complete safety of the process, for breeder seeds also. Permissible temperature of drying agent is calculated by the expression that takes into account the specific surface of grain, the heat transfer coefficient, the heat of vaporization and the coefficient that depends on the permissible rate of dehydration, as well as the maximum permissible temperature of seeds heating. The maximum height of the layer of seeds being dried without stirring depends on the speed of drying agent, the diameter of grain, the porosity of layer, the mass transfer coefficient and the moisture content of drying agent before and after the layer. The maximum permissible temperature of seeds heating should be calculated according to the formula of S.D. Ptitsyn, but the maximum humidity of 10% of weighed portion should be used as a basis.

Yield Increase in Major Oil Seeds in India through Replacement by New Climate Resilient Varieties

The increased frequencies of extreme climatic events are affecting oilseed production and productivity in India. The deployment of new climate resilient (CR) varieties and ensuring the availability of quality seed are pre-requisite, as these crops are grown predominantly under rain-fed conditions. In the present study, attempts had been made to analyse the effects of new CR varieties in terms of increased productivity of major oilseed crops individually in major states and also season-wise during period II (2007–2008 to 2012–2013) over period I (2001–2002 to 2006–2007) by comparing the mean yield through paired ‘t’ test. Overall, seed replacement rates (SRRs) had been increased tremendously for all oilseeds and by two to three folds in soybean & groundnut, respectively, during period II, whereas for varietal replacement rates (VRRs), on the basis of 2/3 years average indented Breeder Seed, the share of CR varieties increased by 41.4% (Soybean), 21.9% (Groundnut) and 13.1% (Rapeseed & Mustard). During period II, for groundnut in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu; for Brassicas, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; for Soybean, only in Madhya Pradesh; whereas for sunflower in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, TN; and at national level, statistically significant yield increase observed. Overall, the significant productivity gains were observed; for rabi oilseeds, in AP, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, MP, Punjab, UP, WB and National level; for kharif, in Bihar, Karnataka, MP, Orissa, Punjab and TN, whereas in total, oilseeds in Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, MP, Orissa, Punjab, TN, WB and at national level significant yield increase were recorded, whereas the variability in yield decreased during the same period at national level in rabi, kharif and in total oilseed. The association between mean yield during period II and percentage irrigated area was found to be significant in sunflower (0.992**) and in total oilseeds (0.524*). The present study concluded that to achieve higher productivity and production vis-a-vis to mitigate climate change effect, both VRR and SRR should be considered simultaneously, being their joint impact was synergistic and multiplicative, as proved in cotton, being secondary crop for vegetable oil purposes, the combined effect of both VRR (Bt-cotton) & SRR (100% being hybrids) had increased production and productivity exorbitantly by annual growth rate of 13.53% and 9.99%, respectively, from 2000–2001 to 2013–2014.

Exploring the supply and demand factors of varietal turnover in Indian wheat

SUMMARYCultivar depreciation – the gradual decline in relative advantage of a cultivated variety over time – accentuates the vulnerability of resource-poor farmers to production risks. The current paper addresses constraints in combating cultivar depreciation of wheat in India. National level data on quoted demand for breeder seeds and breeder seed production indicated a slowdown in the rate of cultivar turnover of wheat, with average varietal age increasing from 9 years in 1997 to 12 years in 2009. Analysis of cultivar adoption patterns among farmer households of Haryana State also indicates that farmers prefer cultivars that were released a decade ago over the recent ones. Cultivar turnover rates are found to be particularly low among marginal farmers. While the structure of India's wheat breeding and seed delivery systems might be the primary cause of slow cultivar turnover, a number of social and economic factors at the micro-level are also responsible. Many of the constraints to technology adoption and wheat productivity growth, identified during the Green Revolution era, persist even today.

An Impact Assessment of Vegetable Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Variety “Kashi Kanchan”

A study was conducted to assess the impact of Kashi Kanchan variety of vegetable cowpea developed at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi. Seed sale data (2007–2008 to 2013–2014) were collected from IIVR, Varanasi and from a private seed company at Raipur which produces its seeds (2010–2011 to 2012–2013). The IIVR, Varanasi sold 8,323.24 kg truthful seed of Kashi Kanchan to the farmers and Govt. Organizations/Private Agencies in 117 districts of 23 states covering an estimated area of 416.19 ha during 2007–2008 to 2012–2013. The private seed company, of Raipur produced and marketed 189,562.75 kg truthful seed of Kashi Kanchan in 167 districts of 14 states covering an estimated area of 9,478.14 ha during 2010–2011 to 2012–2013. In addition, 626.6 kg of breeder seeds were also produced at IIVR, Varanasi and provided to different organizations in 19 districts of 9 States during 2008–2009 to 2013–2014, which, if converted properly to foundation and then to certified seed (estimated 641,638.4 kg) during 2010–2011 to 2015–2016, the total expected area to be covered would be 32,081.92 ha. Based on the estimated area, a revenue of about 630 crores would have been generated from this variety alone if the pods were sold as fresh vegetable. The per hectare net return from production of Kashi Kanchan during summer and rainy seasons was 103,406/- and 84,142/- with benefit: cost ratio of 2.35:1 and 2.11:1, respectively. Maximum share of total variable cost was of human labour.

Optimization of Minituber Size and Planting Distance for the Breeder Seed Production of Potato

Six grades of potato minitubers ( 25 mm) and four planting distance (25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm and 10 cm) with a potato variety Diamant were taken in an study during 2013-14 at the Tuber Crops Research Centre of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The objective was to observe the effect of minituber grades and planting distance on growth, seed yield, increase ratio and seed potential of potato. The largest minitubers (>25 mm) planted at widest distance (25 cm) produced maximum number of tubers per plant (18.7). The highest number of tubers per m2 (306.7) was obtained with largest minitubers (>25 mm) planted at the closest plant spacing 10 cm, while it was lowest (64.0) in smallest size minituber ( 25 mm size minituber planted at 10 cm distance. The lowest (4.4) was in 25 mm had significant increase ratio ranged from 12 to 269. The highest economic return (9.4) would occur for the pea size (5-10 mm) minituber when planted at 15 cm spacing.

POTENTIAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION OF GENOMICS TO INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEAFY VEGETABLES IN WEST AFRICA

POTENTIAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION OF GENOMICS TO INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEAFY VEGETABLES IN WEST AFRICA

Outcrossing in Early‐Stage Spring Wheat Breeder Seed Development

ABSTRACTOutcrossing (OC) during the initial stages of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeder seed development (“head‐rowing”) may lead to off‐types appearing in later generations of pedigreed seed. The objective of this research project was to measure OC in a simulated short (1.3 m) breeder row nursery of spring wheat. Rows of four cultivars known to differ in OC potential were grown at up to 12 distances (30–360 cm) from a blue aleurone pollen source in two directions in each of 2 yr. Pollen flow barriers consisted of varying numbers of border rows of wheat or the use of four rows of spring triticale (Triticosecale). The blue aleurone trait was used to estimate OC frequency. Triticale was equivalent to wheat as a pollen trap. Based on the results from this study, it would appear prudent to use a pollen barrier of at least 3.6 m between wheat germplasm of a low to moderate OC potential. Wider pollen barriers (>10 m) probably will be required for germplasm prone to OC.

Registration of ‘Clear White’ Wheat

Registration of ‘Clear White’ Wheat

RAPD analysis of genetic variability of regenerated seeds in the Canadian flax cultivar CDC Normandy

Genetic variability of the original breeder seeds and twice regenerated seeds of the Canadian flax cultivar CDC Normandy was analyzed using RAPD markers. It was found that two (out of 98) RAPD loci derived from 16 informative UBC RAPD primers were polymorphic, confirming a narrow genetic variation for CDC Normandy. No off-types from the other flax accessions being simultaneously regenerated were found in the 48-seed sample of the 1998 regeneration, but one off-type in the 1999 regeneration was revealed at seven fixed recessive RAPD loci. The G-statistics calculated for the change in genotypic frequencies at two polymorphic RAPD loci over the two regeneration cycles were not statistically significant at the 0.05 level, suggesting no significant genetic change occurred in the regenerated accessions. These findings have practical implications for flax germplasm management, breeding program and commercial seed production.