Studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance for quantitative traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes

Abstract

Ninety genotypes of sunflower of different agro-ecological origins were evaluated for the estimation of proportion of variability, broad sense heritability, predicted genetic advance and genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. Data were recorded on five selected plants for yield and yield attributing traits. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were observed as the highest for seed yield per plant, followed by seed filling percentage and 100-seed weight and moderate for plant height, hull content, head diameter, protein content and stem girth. High heritability was reported for all the traits, except stem girth and head diameter. Higher values of GA as percent of mean were observed for seed yield per plant (93.79), plant height (28.95), head diameter (20.58), 100- seed weight (54.24), seed filling percentage (60.94), hull content (28.25) and protein content (23.59). High heritability associated with high GA was recorded for seed yield per plant (93.64), 100-seed weight (86.15), seed filling percentage (98.15), hull content (96.96), plant height (87.65) and protein content (92.16). Hence, these traits should be preferred for sunflower improvement programme.