Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Gopi V, Kalaimagal T, Sasikala R, Harish S and Senthivelu M

Abstract:
The experimental research was performed with twenty peculiar and elite inbred lines in sunflower following Randomized block statistical design with three replications in the Department of oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). Eight quantitative traits were considered to study genetic variability parameters, correlation and path association analysis. Owing to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), it revealed higher significant difference among all the traits at 1% probability level. High PCV and GCV values were found for volume weight (g), seed yield per plant (g) and head diameter (cm) which indicates that the sufficient amount of variability is present in the 20 inbreds and these traits can be suitably employed in the breeding programme. Traits such as days to 50% flowering, 100-seed weight (g) were having high heritability and high genetic advance hence selection will be effective for these traits. The polygenic traits Seed yield per plant (g)was found to be significant and in positively correlation with hundred seed weight and negatively correlated with days to 50% flowering (DF) and days to maturity (DM). The path analysis showed that significant positive direct effect of days to maturity, volume weight (g) and oil content (%) and hundred seed weight on seed yield per plant (SYPP). On the other hand, days to 50% flowering and head diameter (cm) had negative direct effect on seed yield per plant (SYPP). Residual effects of 0.55 reveals that the traits had contributed 45.5% to the variability and other unaccounted traits must be included to fully acknowledge the other independent and contributing traits to the seed yield per plant(g).Therefore the selection efficiency can be attained for the traits such as days to 50% flowering, 100-seed weight(g) and oil content(%) with high heritable differences and high genetic advance and simultaneously their association also favours for the selection of these traits and to genetically improve the sunflower inbreds with increased seed yield and in turn the oil yield.