Genetic variability of some vegetative and flowering growth characteristics of multiflower mutant of Helianthus annuus L. plants

Present investigation was conducted to study the genetic variability of some growth and flowering traits of branching mutant of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) plants that having many inflorescences per plant. This study was done during two successive seasons at the Nursery of Ornamental Plants, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.High broad sense heritability with high genetic variance( GCV% and PCV%) were found for number of inflorescences per plant, stem diameter, leave area, fresh weight of vegetative growth and 100 seeds weight. This result refer to the small amount of environmental effects and these traits are under the influence of genetic control. While high heritability in broad sense with moderate genetic variance were found for plant height. Whereas moderate heritability in broad sense with moderate genetic variance were found for number of leaves per plant, inflorescence diameter, number of seeds per mean head. So, Selection is an expected tool to improve branching mutant of Helianthus annuus plant characteristics.