Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Heterosis for seed yield and its attributing traits was studied in 54 crosses developed through LxT mating design involving 6 CMS lines and 9 testers. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant differences due to parents, crosses and parents vs crosses, indicating variability. The hybrids 17A x J/6, 17A x EC-623008, 17A X RHA-1-1 and 2A X RHA-1-1 were identified as best heterotic crosses for seed yield/plant and some of its component traits like, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, head diameter, seed filling %, 100 seed weight and volume weight. For oil content, 2A X EC-623008 and 2A X RHA-1-1 recorded high heterotic effect. This study could prove useful in the development of new high-yielding sunflower hybrids.