Formation of economically valuable traits of sunflower hybrids of different origin and maturity groups

Purpose. To determine the adaptability of sunflower genotypes of various origin and maturity groups based on the stability of economically valuable traits and quality indicators in the Northeastern Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The study involved 12 sunflower hybrids: early-maturing hybrids ‘Kamelot’, ‘Serpanok’, ‘Marshal’, ‘Husliar’, ‘Blysk’, and ‘Zlatson’, medium-early hybrids ‘Ahent’, ‘Ahronomichnyi’, ‘Koliada’ (developed by the Institute of Oilseed Crops NAAS), and hybrids ‘Azart’, ‘Hudvin’, and ‘Yarylo’ (developed by the Institute of Plant Production NAAS). The study was conducted in 2023–2024 at the Institute of Agriculture of the North East, NAAS. Results. Most early-maturing hybrids had oil content over 50%, with ‘Husliar’ showing the highest oil content of 52.5%. Protein content was not always inversely correlated with oil content. Early-maturing hybrids had the following protein content: ‘Husliar’ 15.3%, ‘Blysk’ 14.8%, and ‘Zlatson’ 16.4%. Medium-early hybrids demonstrated oil content around 50%, with slight differences compared to early-maturing hybrids. The highest oil content was recorded in ‘Azart’ (50.3%) and ‘Yarylo’ (50.4%). ‘Azart’ achieved the highest oil yield of 1.831 t/ha, almost 11% higher than ‘Koliada’, which had the highest oil yield among the hybrids of the Institute of Oilseed Crops (1.362 t/ha). ‘Serpanok’ had the highest 1000-kernel weight (68.2 g). The hybrids of the Institute of Oilseed Crops showed higher 1000-kernel weight than other studied hybrids. The highest seed weight was in ‘Marshal’ (393 g/l) and ‘Zlatson’ (405 g/l). 1000-kernel weight ranged from 50 g in ‘Ahronomichnyi’, ‘Ahent’, and ‘Yarylo’, to 60 g in ‘Koliada’ and ‘Azart’ and 80 g in ‘Hudvin’. Seed weight varied based on origin and maturity group. The highest seed weight values were achieved by hybrids ‘Ahronomichnyi’ and ‘Yarylo’. Conclusions. The medium-early hybrid ‘Azart’ demonstrated the highest oil yield per hectare (1831 kg) and seed weight (361 g/l). Among early-maturing hybrids, ‘Blysk’ and ‘Marshal’ showed the best results, with oil yields of 1063 and 1547 kg/ha, respectively. The highest seed weight index (405 g/l) was achieved by the early-maturing hybrid ‘Zlatson’.