Heterosis for agronomically important traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

Significant manifestation of heterosis for agronomically important traits is the main precondition for obtaining productive sunflower hybrids (Škorić et al., 2006). Development of high-yielding and stable sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization requires knowledge of heterotic effects occurring in the F1 generation. Heterosis for seed yield per plant, total seed number per head and 1,000-seed weight was studied in interspecific hybrids obtained by the line × tester method. The seven female inbred lines used in the study had been developed by interspecific hybridization, while the three male restorer inbreds with good combining abilities were used as testers in the form of fertility restorers. Twenty-one F1 hybrids were obtained by crossing each tester with each female inbred line. A trial with the lines and F1 hybrids was set up at Rim-ski Šančevi. Experiment Field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad using a randomized block design with three replications. Our study found significant differences in the mean values of all the traits under investigation. Heterosis values for seed yield were positive and highly significant relative to parental average (98.4-274.1%) as well as better parent (55.8-223.2%). Considerably less heterosis was found for total seed number per head (69.6-203.7%) relative to parental average and better parent (47.6-183.3%). With 1,000-seed mass, the values ranged between 26.5% and 48.8% relative to parental average and from -42.4% to 30.9% relative to better parent. This study could prove useful in the development of new high-yielding sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization.