SummarySomaclonal lines of linseed from the parent cultivar Norlin were produced from a callus‐basedin oitroregeneration system (the R0generation). In field trials conducted over two seasons, 47 R1(plants produced from the R0generation) and 20 R2somaclonal lines (plants produced from the R1generation) were compared to the parent cultivar Norlin for quantitative characters. Irrespective of the genotype, traits in R1's and R2's were assessed on the basis of regression analysis as showing heritabilities of between 28% and 64%. Generally, the somaclonal variation assessed during these early generations revealed some detrimental traits, e.g. lower seed yield than the parent (control) cultivar and reduced 1000 seed weights, but a few lines were identified which had early or late flowering dates, improved seed yield and increased 1000 seed weights. It is concluded that somaclonal variation could be of value as an adjunct to classical breedin