Unlocking Genetic Variability and Heritability in Ethiopian Linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) for Yield and Yield Related Traits Improvement

Linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) is economically valuable oilseed crop known for its industrial and nutritional importance. Ethiopia is both a major producer and a secondary center of diversity for linseed; however, genetic research on the crop remains limited. This study evaluated genetic variability, heritability, and trait associations among 36 linseed accessions collected from diverse Ethiopian agro‐ecologies. Field experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, and data on yield‐related agro‐morphological traits were analyzed using R software (version 4.5.0). Results revealed significant genotypic variations ( p < 0.01) across all traits, demonstrating considerable genetic diversity among accessions. Most traits exhibited high broad‐sense heritability, notably effective branches (99.84%), primary branches (99.77%), and secondary branches (99.85%). Traits such as days to maturity, plant height (PH), number of capsules per plant (NCP), and seed yield per hectare (SYPHA) showed high heritability and genetic advance (GA), indicating their suitability for selection in breeding programs. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive association between branching traits and yield ( r = 0.99 for number of primary branches NPB and number of effective branches NEB), whereas early flowering was negatively correlated with yield traits. Path coefficient analysis confirmed the major influence of biomass yield per plot and capsule number on seed yield. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into three clusters based on maturity period, biomass production, and seed yield potential. Overall, Ethiopian linseed germplasm exhibits wide genetic variability that can be exploited for yield improvement, with traits such as capsules per plant, biomass yield, and PH may serve as potential selection criteria under similar environmental conditions.