Stability estimation for seed and oil yield of NS sunflower hybrids in small-plot trials and recommendations for 2010 sowing season.

The objective of this study was the evaluation of NS sunflower hybrids based on the results of seed yield, oil content and oil yield obtained in a network of small-plot trials in Vojvodina and central Serbia in 2009, as well as recommendations for 2010 sowing season. The hybrid location interaction was evaluated by AMMI model (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction). In small plot trials, 19 NS sunflower hybrids on 11 locations in Vojvodina and 3 in central Serbia were included. Seed yield, oil content and oil yield were significantly different in the small-plot trials in the investigated regions. The highest average seed yields in Vojvodina were produced by Duško (3.75 t ha-1), Novosađanin (3.74 t ha-1), Kazanova (3.66 t ha-1), Sremac (3.62 t ha-1), Pobednik (3.59 t ha-1) and NS-H-111 (3.57 t ha-1). In the region of central Serbia seed yield over 3.50 t ha-1 was achieved by the hybrids Branko (3.57 t ha-1) and Duško (3.53 t ha-1). Hybrid Pobednik showed the highest average oil content in the region of Vojvodina (49.37 %), as well as in the region of central Serbia (49.96 %). Highest average oil yield (over 1.70 t ha-1) was produced by Pobednik, Novosađanin, NS-H-111 and Somborac in the Vojvodina region, and in central Serbia oil yield (over 1.60 t ha-1) was produced by Branko and Duško. In three-year trials in Vojvodina, eight hybrids (Duško, Kazanova, Sremac, Velja, Baća, Novosađanin, NS-H-111 and Pobednik) showed seed yield over general mean. Highest seed yield was given by hybrid Duško (3.63 t ha-1). AMMI biplot for seed yield showed that hybrids Duško, Novosađanin and NS-H-111 had the highest adaptability at all locations (Region Vojvodina and central Serbia), because the interaction had the lowest values. Pobednik and NS-H-111 showed the highest stability for oil content over all locations. The lowest interaction effects for oil yield were found with Duško and NS-H-111. The hybrid NS-H-111, with average mean value over general mean, was stable for all three investigated characters during 2009 sowing season.