Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield-related Traits of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Rajendranagar farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad during rabi-2024-25. Thirty two sunflower genotypes were evaluated in Randomized block design with three replications. The aim of the experiment was to determine the genetic variability for seed yield and oil content. The results of the study recorded a broad range of variability for all the characters under study. Low to high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded. The traits like seed yield per plant (54.4% and 56.3%) followed by linoleic acid (49.9% and 52.9%), oleic acid (46.7% and 49.5%), plant height (23.9% and 24.5%), head diameter (21.7% and 23.2%) and 100 seed weight (21.2% and 27.1%) recorded high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were recorded for seed yield per plant, plant height, head diameter, number of leaves per plant, seed length, 100 seed weight, volume weight, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, indicating the predominance of additive gene action for these characters and therefore, provides the most effective condition for selection and these traits should be used in future sunflower improvement programmes.