Evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic variation and drought tolerance in the F3 families of linseed under drought stress condition

Evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic variation and heritability of important agronomic traits in segregating populations is one of the principles of breeding for quantitative traits. This study was conducted to assess the genotypic and phenotypic variation and drought tolerance in the F3 families derived from a cross between KO37 (Iranian linseed cultivar) and SP1066 (Canadian linseed cultivar) at Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran, in 2011 and 2012. Results showed that under drought stress the highest reduction in the number of seed per plant, yield per plant and Irrigation Water Productivity belonged to SP1066 parental genotype. Combined analysis, the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability (19% and 25%, respectively) belonged to number of seed per plant, yield per plant and number of capsules per plant. The highest heritability was estimated for 1000-seed weight (86%), plant height (85%) and days to 50% flowering (81%). The presence of high genotypic and continuous variation and also transgressive segregation for studied agronomic traits and IWUE in F3 families under both conditions indicated that the F3 population or its advanced generations can be used in mapping, identification of QTL related to important agronomic traits and increasing drought tolerance in linseed.