PATH ANALYSIS FOR QUALITY COMPONENTS IN LINSEED (LINUM USITATISSIMUM L.)

Abstract

Path analysis for eight quaIitycomponents was worked out in 22 linseed varieties tested in two fertility conditions. StatisticaI analysis was done in four ways: (a) oil dependent and other contributing characters, (b) protein dependent and othercontributing traits, (c) iodine dependent and other contributing attributes, and (d) linolenic acid dependent and other contributing fatty acids. In the path analysis of oil content, linolenic acid had a high positive direct effect on oil content while protein content and iodine value exerted strong negative direct effects on oil content under nonnaI fertility level. Under low fertility conditions, all the contributing traits had a direct negative effect on oil. Similar pattern was also observed in the path analysis of protein content. High positive effect of linolenic acid, followed by linoleic acid and saponification vaIue, on iodine vaIue was observed. Stearic and oleic acids affected directly and indirectly via other acids in negative way to the linolenic acid. Under both the fertility levels, five fatty acids showed similar relationship.