Abstract

Ten (10) sunflower genotypes were evaluated in a triplicated randomized complete blocked design in field for plant height, stem diameter at base, internodal length, head diameter, number of whorls head^-1, achene weight head^-1, 100-achene weight, achene oil and protein content. Association among various plant traits and direct and indirect effects of various traits on achene weight head^-1 were estimated. Correlations of head diameter, 100-achene weight, stem diameter at base, internodal length and oil contents were positive and significant with achene weight head^-1. Path analysis showed that direct effects of plant height, head diameter, 100-achene weight and oil contents were positive while direct effects of stem diameter at base, internodal length, number of fertile whorls head^-1 and protein contents were negative on achene weight head^-1. This shows that selection based on head diameter, 100-achene weight, plant height, internodal length and stem diameter at base will be more effective in improving yield.

Key words: Sunflower, correlation coefficient, path coefficient, yield components.