Determination of the Best Indirect Selection Criteria for Genetic Improvement of Seed Yield in Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Genotypes

Correlation and path coefficient analyses were studied on three diverse genotypes of sunflower in order to understand the relationship and contribution on eight characters towards the seed yield. The seed yield exhibits highly significant and positive correlation with plant height, oil yield and total number of seeds per head. Days to full flowering and head diameter showed significant and negative relation with seed yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that total number of seeds per head had the highest and positive direct effect on seed yield. On the other hand, days to full flowering and head diameter showed the highest and negative direct effect on seed yield. Hence, the study revealed the importance of total number of seeds per head, days to full flowering and head diameter as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of seed yield in sunflower breeding programs especially in early generations