HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Albrechtsen, R. S. Articles by Dybing, C. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Albrechtsen, R. S. Articles by Dybing, C. D. Agricola Articles by Albrechtsen, R. S. Articles by Dybing, C. D.

Influence of Seeding Rate upon Seed and Oil Yield and Their Components in Flax¹

Five cultivars of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) were each seeded at four rates to determine the influence of seeding rate on seed and oil yields, their components, and other plant and seed characteristics. A path coefficient analysis technique was employed to partition yield components into direct and indirect effects to assess the usefulness of yield components as selection criteria in a flax breeding program. Rates of seeding that were used in the study gave 0.8, 1.6, 2.8, and 3.9 viable seeds per cm of row.

Seed yield, oil yield, oil content, iodine value, seed size, seeds per boll, bolls per area, and test weight were not significantly affected by variations in seeding rate. Bolls per plant and height were decreased and maturity was hastened by increased seeding rate. Approximately 85% of the variation in oil yield could be attributed to variation in bolls per area, seeds per boll, seed size, and percent oil. Stand accounted for only an additional 1% of the variation in oil yield.

Path coefficient analysis showed bolls per unit area to be the most important component determining seed and oil yields, both directly and indirectly. Seeds per boll, seed size, and percent oil showed nonsignificant and negative correlations with oil yield, because the positive direct effects they exerted on yield were canceled by negative indirect effects through other components.

Key Words: Flax culture • Path coefficient analysis • Character associations • Seed weight • Oil content • Iodine value

² Formerly Associate Professor of Agronomy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D. (now Professor of Agronomy, Department of Plant Science, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 8492I), and Plant Physiologist, North Central Region, ARS, USDA, Brookings, S. D. 57006.

Received for publication October 5, 1971.