Effect of location and harvesting date on yield and 1,000-seed weight of different sunflower genotypes

Abstract

The effect of harvesting date on yield and 1,000-seed weight in sunflower genotypes was studied in India and Serbia. Harvest period began seven days after pollination and was performed on 10 occasions. The genotypes had higher seed yields per head and larger 1,000-seed weights in Serbia. The highest seed yield per head was produced by the genotype Ha-121. The yield grew gradually until the midpoint of the period studied, but only the first three dates produced yields significantly lower than those from the dates after the three earliest ones. In Serbia, there was also a significant decrease of yield on latest harvesting dates. The genotype Ha-121 had the largest average of 1,000-seed weight. Harvesting dates revealed a quadratic regression, with some maximum yields being recorded at seed moisture levels of 40% or more, especially in Serbia. At both sites, 1,000-seed weight grew for the most part in a linear fashion until the very last of the harvesting dates. Some genotypes could be harvested very early without any major impact on 1,000-seed weight and yield, but the significant influence of location should always be taken into account in cases such as these.