Genetic variability, character association and divergence studies in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for improvement in oil yield

Present experiment was conducted on 32 sunflower genotypes (11 CMS lines and 21 Restorer lines) on the basis of their diverse origin, growth habit, phenology and adaptation with an object to assess variation in oil yield attributing traits. The total variability consisting heritable and non-heritable components of the characters were estimated by genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance (GA) and the best positive traits for sunflower improvement through selection and breeding were assessed. All the characters among the different genotypes exhibited significant variation. Oil yield was highly significant and positively correlated with seed yield (kg/ha) (0.95), number of filled grain/head (0.85), grain filling% (0.65), days to 50% flowering (0.417), plant height (0.33). Seed yield (kg/ha) was highly significant and positively correlated with plant height (0.33), head diameter (0.30). Seed yield (kg/ha) varied from 625 (CMS-16A) to 1120(CMS-302A) in lines and 576 (EC-601751) to 1221(R-630) in testers respectively. The highest 100 seed weight and hull content (%) was obtained from P-2-7-1A. Seed yield, oil yield (kg/ha) and numbers of filled grains were obtained from EC 601978. Genotypes were classified into eight distinct clusters with a maximum inter distance observed between cluster VI and VII. The experiment assisted to identify the superior genotype among diverse genotypes of sunflower which can act as parents with desirable traits like number of filled grain/head, volume weight/100 ml, 100 seed weight, oil content and seed yield/plant for further breeding purposes.