Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) - Physiology and Genetic

Genetic variability of linseed for yield components, plant height, flowering time and duration, maturity etc. is well documented. However, more information is needed about the genetics of these traits and the genetic correlations between them. The same is true of the genetics of the dynamic processes of yield formation such as crop growth rates and duration, time course of photosynthetic activities, assimilate distributions etc. Plant breeders will continue with the breeding approaches 'defect removal' and 'selection for yield'. Information on traits which influence seed yield of linseed may additionally open up the ideotype breeding approach. An ideotype of linseed would influence choice of parental material, and probably the early selection in a pedigree strategy. However, emphasized that the choice of traits to include in an ideotype model clearly depends on environmental conditions. As yet it is not possible to define an ideotype of linseed because much more information is needed for selecting relevant traits. But it seems clear that an ideal linseed plant should be lodging-resistant even under slightly elevated N-levels. Regarding yield components, number of seeds per capsule is restricted and individual seed weight shows negative correlations with seeds per capsule. Therefore, emphasis should be given to the improvement of capsules per area. Reducing the number of plants per area aimed at reduced lodging would mean that capsules per plant would have to be increased. So far, no information about indirect selection for yield through capsules per plant is available and almost no information exists about the genetics of the trait capsules per plant.