Heterotic response of hybrids for yield and its contributing characters in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The prevailing investigation was undertaken with the goals to study the heterosis for seed yield and its components traits in sunflower. Six female lines were crossed with eight male lines in order to obtain 48 F1s. The crosses and parents with checks, have been evaluated in a Randomized Block design with two replications, at experimental farm at Oilseeds research station, Latur. Data had been recorded on ten characters. The analysis of all the characters under study indicated significant differences among the genotypes, parents, hybrids and parent’s vs hybrids which indicated the presence of substantial genetic variability among the genotypes for the characters studied. The hybrids viz., CMS-47 A x EC-601924, CMS-112 A x AKSF-15R, CMS-47 A x AKSF-15R, CMS-112 A x EC-601924 and CMS-47 A x R-274 recorded excessive significant heterosis in desirable direction over both standard check LSFH-171 and KBSH- 44 for yield and yield component traits.