PATH ANALYSIS OF OIL YIELD IN SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) HYBRIDS

Abstract

Genotypic correlations and path coefficients were computed in sunflower hybrids. Oil yield, oil content, fatty acids and other morphological characters were studied. Oil yield exhibited significant positive correlation with oil content and negative correlation with stem rot infection, whereas oil content showed positive association with stem thickness and negative correlation with stem rot infection. Stem thickness had significant positive correlation with plant height. Oleic acid showed highly significant negative correlation with linoleic and linolenic acids, whereas linoleic acid had significant positive association with linolenic acid. High positive direct effects on oil yield were shown by oil content, 100-seed weight, head diameter and oleic acid content, however plant height and palmitic acid content had direct negative effects on oil yield through stem thickness and linolenic acid. This investigation revealed that oil content, 100-seed weight, head diameter, stem thickness, stem rot resistance and high oleic acid content may be given high priority for the improvement of oil yield in sunflower hybrid breeding.