Screening of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm under rainfed condition

Abstract

The present investigation was aimed to evaluate morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of sixteen genotypes of linseed with four checks. The research was carried out in rabi 2023-24 using factorial randomized block design with three replications having two factors: sowing conditions and genotypes, at field of Agricultural botany section, college of agriculture, Nagpur. The total thirteen traits were assessed viz., days to 50% flowering, Days to maturity, Plant height (cm), Number of branches plant-1, Number of capsules plant-1, Root volume (cm3), Root length (cm), Total chlorophyll content in leaves (mg g-1), Leaf Relative Water Content (%), Proline content in leaves (µg g-1), 1000 seed weight (g), Grain yield plant-1 (g), Grain yield plot-1 kg ha-1. The interaction between two factor shows non-significant interaction. The findings revealed that germplasm IC0096530, EC0041481, and IC0498456 consistently demonstrated superior performance across both water regimes. This genotype exhibited favorable traits such as greater plant stature, increased branching, a higher number of capsules plant-1, earlier flowering and maturity, robust root architecture, elevated chlorophyll content, higher test weight, and enhanced seed yield. These attributes collectively designate IC0096530 as a highly promising germplasm for cultivation under rainfed conditions.