Relationship between yield and related traits in inbred lines of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

Abstract The present study aims to estimate the amount of genetic variability, expected genetic advance and the relationship between yield and yield components of 31 inbred lines of sunflower as well as to characterize the lines based on the quantitative characters. Thirty one inbred lines along with one OP variety were evaluated for the purposes at the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the rabi season of 2015-2016. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for seed weight per head followed by seed yield, number of seeds per head and plant height. High heritability was obtained for plant height (92.49%) followed by seed yield (91.78%), days to maturity (78.25%), stem diameter (74.60%) and number of seeds per head (68.97%). The highest genetic advance as percent of mean was found for seed yield (308%), number of seed per head (79.58%) and plant height (41.50%). Positive correlation was observed between seeds per head with seed weight per head, days to maturity with plant height and stem diameter. Among the studied characters plant height showed the highest direct effect on the seed yield followed by days to maturity, number of seeds per head and head diameter. A gene pool can be generated by combining the traits of the best lines from the collection and could be used as a base population for the development of desirable populations in sunflower breeding.