Genetic Variability and Association Studies in RIL Population of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The present investigation was carried out to study variability and association among yield and its component traits in RIL population of sunflower. The investigation was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Observations were recorded for nine characters viz., plant height, head diameter, volume weight, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, oil content, oleic acid content, linoleic acid content and oil yield per plant. Variability studies revealed high PCV for Plant height, head diameter, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, oleic acid content, linoleic acid content and oil yield per plant. High GCV was observed for plant height, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, oleic acid content, linoleic acid content and oil yield per plant. High heritability and high genetic advance as percentage of mean were recorded for the traits plant height, volume weight, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant, oleic acid content and linoleic acid content. Oil yield per plant showed positive correlation with plant height, head diameter, volume weight, 100 seed weight, oil content, seed yield per plant. Seed yield per plant had significant and positive correlation with plant height, head diameter, volume weight, 100 seed weight and linoleic acid content. Plant height, head diameter, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant are important selection indices for oil yield improvement programme.