EVALUATION OF LINSEED GERMPLASM

Abstract

Linseed (Unum usitatissimum L.) is being cultivated since antiquity in the
Mediterranean coastal lands, Asia minor, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Italy
and Greece for fibre. In India, it is cultivated mainly for oil purpose. It
occupies fifth place after groundnut, rapeseed and mustard, soybean and
sesame. The seeds of linseed have long been the source of drying oils. It
rontains 3245% oil content, which is used chiefly as edible oil and making
paints, varnishes, linoleum, soft soaps and printer's ink etc