Features of the expression of breeding traits in Linum usitatissimum L. somaclones

Abstract

Aim. Determining the level of expression, variability and features of inheritance of the main breeding traits of flax somaclones (Linum usitatissimum L.) in connection with the possibility of their use as initial selection material was the aim of our research. Methods. Hypocotyl and epicotyl segments for the induction of callusogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were cultured in vitro on the nutrient medium of Murashige and Skoog with the addition of 1.00 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.05 mg/l 1-naphthylacetic acid, 30 g/l sucrose, a photoperiod of 16 h, illumination 2500 lux, relative air humidity 60–80 %, air temperature 22–24°C. Somaclones were adapted in vivo, and their generations were studied in the field. Results. Somaclones of the Hlinum variety were tested in the field according to the main selection traits and were not significantly inferior to the control variant; however, among them it is possible to single out some valuable individual plants for further breeding. Conclusions. Peculiarities of correlations between traits indicate the possibility of creating breeding material with a high level of fibrousness and seed productivity at the same time, high fiber mass and its content, allow selection for fibrousness by indirect traits – total and/or technical stem length, stem mass. A promising direction is the use of somaclones as sources of a high level of manifestation of the trait of the number of capsules on a plant (up to 17 pcs.).