Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop, and the identification of genetically diverse and superior germplasm is essential for its improvement. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate genetic variability, characterise sunflower germplasm using Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) descriptors, and determine the association between seed yield and its contributing traits. A total of 46 sunflower genotypes, comprising 44 test genotypes and two checks, were evaluated during Kharif 2025 at the Oilseeds Research Station, Latur, Maharashtra, India. The genotypes were evaluated for ten quantitative traits, namely days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, head diameter, 100-seed weight, volume weight, hull content, seed filling percentage, oil content and seed yield per plant. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the quantitative traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. The mean performance of the genotypes showed considerable variation for flowering, maturity, plant height, head diameter, seed characteristics, oil content and seed yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for plant height, head diameter, 100-seed weight, volume weight, hull content, seed filling percentage, oil content and seed yield per plant. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations of seed yield with head diameter, plant height, 100-seed weight and volume weight, with head diameter showing the strongest association. Morphological characterisation using DUS descriptors revealed variation among the genotypes for several qualitative traits related to hypocotyl pigmentation, leaf characteristics, head attitude, ray floret characteristics and seed traits. The evaluated genotypes differed for leaf colour, leaf shape, leaf serration, seed shape, seed coat colour and seed coat stripes, whereas some descriptors showed uniform expression across the genotypes. Based on quantitative performance and morphological characteristics, RHAGPR-3, RHA 274, 93 R, RCB-5, OPH-107, CMS-90-3B, 143 R and HOC-20R were identified as promising genotypes. The present study identified substantial genetic and morphological variability among the evaluated sunflower genotypes and provided useful genetic resources for selection and future breeding programmes aimed at improving seed yield and associated traits.
R. Chinmay, S. Pole, M. V. Dhuppe et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Aims: To evaluate combining ability, determine the nature of gene action governing yield and yield-contributing traits, and identify superior parents and promising hybrid combinations in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).
Study Design: Line × tester mating design.
Place and Duration of Study: Oilseeds Research Station, Latur, Maharashtra, India, during kharif 2025 (hybrid development) and rabi 2025–26 (field evaluation).
Methodology: Six cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) lines and seven restorer lines were crossed in a line × tester mating design to generate 42 hybrids. The resulting hybrids, together with their 13 parents and three standard checks, were evaluated in a randomised block design with two replications for ten agro-morphological and quality traits. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, line × tester analysis to estimate general and specific combining ability, and assessment of gene action following Kempthorne (1957).
Results: Significant variation was observed among the 58 genotypes for all ten traits studied, indicating sufficient genetic variability for effective selection and hybrid development. Combining ability analysis revealed significant GCA and SCA effects for most traits, with SCA variance exceeding GCA variance and indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action. CMS-249A and CMS-47A exhibited desirable GCA effects for several yield-related traits, whereas EC-601924 and EC-601751 were superior restorers. The hybrid combinations DSP-11A × EC-601924, CMS-249A × RHAGPR-3, and CMS-10A × EC-601751 expressed high SCA effects together with desirable performance for yield and related traits, indicating their suitability for hybrid breeding.
Conclusion: Both additive and non-additive genetic effects contributed to the inheritance of yield and yield-contributing traits, although non-additive gene action was predominant. The identified superior parents and hybrids may be utilised in sunflower hybrid-breeding programmes to develop high-yielding hybrids.
Sharanabasava Sangamesh Ambakkanavar, M. V. Dhuppe, R. Chinmay et al.· Plant cell biotechnology and...· 0 citations
Aims: To evaluate the combining ability, determine the nature of gene action governing yield, oil content and associated traits, and identify superior parents and promising hybrid combinations for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) improvement.
Study Design: Line × tester mating design.
Place and Duration of Study: Oilseeds Research Station, Latur, Maharashtra, India, during kharif 2025 (hybrid development) and rabi 2025–26 (field evaluation).
Methodology: Six cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and seven restorer lines were crossed in a line × tester mating design to generate 42 hybrids. The resulting hybrids, along with their 13 parents and three standard checks, were evaluated in a randomised block design with two replications for ten agro-morphological and quality traits. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, line × tester analysis to estimate general and specific combining ability, and assessment of gene action following the method of Kempthorne (1957).
Results: Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits studied, indicating substantial genetic variability. Line × tester analysis showed significant GCA and SCA effects for most traits, with non-additive gene action predominating for seed yield and several associated traits. Among the parents, NDCMS 2A and CMS 597A were identified as good general combiners among the lines, while NDL20, NDL3 and GMU847 were the most desirable testers for seed yield, oil content and associated traits. The crosses NDCMS 2A × NDL20, CMS 597A × NDL20, CMS 597A × NDL3, CMS 852A × GMU847 and CMS 597A × HOCL-20R exhibited desirable specific combining ability effects coupled with superior per se performance, indicating their potential for exploitation in sunflower hybrid breeding.
Conclusion: The findings indicated the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of yield, oil content and associated traits in sunflower, with the predominance of non-additive gene action for most of the characters. The identified superior combiners and promising hybrid combinations provide valuable genetic resources for the development of high-yielding and high-oil sunflower hybrids and can be effectively utilised in future sunflower breeding programmes.
Surya Prakash Sharma, M. V. Dhuppe, S. Pole et al.· Plant cell biotechnology and...· 0 citations
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