An experiment was conducted to study the nature and magnitude of genetic variability with a view to identify promising genotypes for yield and related traits in linseed. Eighteen diverse linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design in three replications during rabi 2019-20 for twelve agro morphological characters to assess the genetic parameters of variability. Analysis of variance indicated presence of a wide range of genetic variability among genotypes for all the traits. The higher phenotypic coefficient values than corresponding genotypic coefficient values depicted influence of environment in the expression of traits. Technical height exhibited highest GCV value while the lowest GCV was observed for days to 75% maturity. High estimates of PCV and GCV indicate sufficient variability, signifying the effectiveness of the selection of desirable types for improvement of such characters. The high expected genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean were recorded for technical height, aerial biomass per plant, plant height, primary branches per plant and secondary branches per plant. High heritability with moderate genetic advance was observed for technical height indicating the presence of additive and non-additive gene action. Path analysis revealed, direct and indirect effects of genotypic path coefficient were higher in magnitude than the corresponding phenotypic path coefficients. Highest positive direct effect on seed yield was shown harvest index followed by aerial biomass, plant height, secondary branches per plant and days to 75% maturity. The obtained results could be used further in breeding programmes.

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