Exploring the genetic variability and association for yield and its integrant traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Vivek M.1, Sasikala R.2,*, Thangaraj K.1, Harish S.2, Sudha M.3 1Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai-625 104, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Oilseeds, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India 3Department of Plant Biotechnology, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India *E-Mail: sasikalacpbg@gmail.com
Online Published on 20 October, 2023. Abstract Sunflower production can be increased by exploring genetic variability present in the population. The nature of relationship between yield and its associated traits should be clearly understood to achieve parallel improvement of yield by indirect selection of beneficial traits. In the present study, 50 sunflower accessions along with five checks were evaluated for nine biometrical traits viz. days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, head diameter, hundred seed weight, volume weight, hull content, oil content and single plant yield to assess the variability and character association. The analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant variation among the genotypes for all the traits under consideration. Phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation values were high for hundred seed weight and single plant yield. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for the traits viz. days to 50% flowering, plant height, head diameter, volume weight, oil content, hundred seed weight and single plant yield. Correlation studies revealed the presence of a positive and significant correlation between single plant yield and the traits head diameter and hundred seed weight. Similarly, oil content exhibited a positive and significant correlation with head diameter and volume weight. Path analysis also indicated the presence of high and moderate positive direct effect of head diameter and hundred seed weight on single plant yield. Based on the above, head diameter and hundred seed weight could be used as selection indices for yield improvement in sunflower. Top Keywords Genotypes, Sunflower, Variability, Correlation, Path analysis. Top |