Correlations and path analyses of some sunflower breeding parameters

Abstract

Increasing seed yield and oil content is one of the most important goals in sunflower breeding programs. Eight sunflower restorer lines RHA-UK, RHA-ST-59, RHA-SES-IMI, RHA-SNRF, RHA-E-ANN-65, RHA-RU-3, RHA-CDN, RHA-N-M-1 were analyzed to estimate correlation values for nine agronomic traits. Relationships between seed yield and eight traits (oil and protein content, seed germination, 1000-seed weight, head diameter, number of branches and leaves and plant height) in sunflower were studied. Path analysis was used to partition the correlation values into direct and indirect effects on seed yield. Path analysis indicated highest significant direct effect of head diameter on yield (0.439**; as confirmed by the high correlation coeffi cient 0.623**). e number of branches (high correlation coeffi cient 0.552**) had a positive direct effect but not highly significant on yield (0.260*). In the study of indirect effects, thirteen significant effects were determined.