Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed yield in sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment had been conducted to obtain information on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed yield and associated characters under irrigated conditions by using forty eight diverse genotypes. The analysis of variance revealed the significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits indicating presence of sufficient variability among the genotypes for various traits. High estimate of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for leaf area, head diameter, oil content, seeds per head, filled seeds per head and seed yield per plant.While, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for stem girth, leaf area, head diameter, oil content, plant height, 100 seed weight, seeds per head, filled seeds per head, harvest index and seed yield per plant indicated that selection may be effective for improving these characters.