Abstract:
Two experiments were carried out at two locations (Ellkandi and Essuki area)
for two consecutive seasons 2013 and 2014, to estimate the genetic variability
among 15 sunflower hybrids, characters correlations with seed yield (t/ha)
and to determine the genotype x environment interaction as well as to
evaluate the stability of performance for the hybrids at the four environments.
A randomized complete block design with four replications was used at each
environment and data on 11 characters including yield and its components in
addition to oil yield was collected in all investigated environments. At both
locations and in both seasons significant differences were detected for days to
50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height (cm), stem
diameter (cm) and head diameter (cm), while highly significant differences
were detected for number of seeds per head, empty seeds percentage, 1000-
seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g), seed yield (t/ha) and oil yield (t/ha)
suggesting a wide range of genetic variability. The combined analysis of
variance was carried out only for those characters with homogeneous error
variance viz: head diameter (cm), number of seeds per head, empty seeds
percentage, 1000-seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g) seed yield (t/ha)
and oil yield (t/ha). The genotype x season and genotype x location
interactions were only significant for seed yield (t/ha) and oil yield (t/ha). The
overall ranking of the 15 sunflower hybrids for seed and oil yields (t/ha)
according to the stability parameters (average mean (μ), regression coefficient
(bi) and deviation from regression (S2di) showed that Pan-7057 was the most
top hybrid followed by Ausigold61, Ausigold7, SFH301, Hysun-33, Pan7033,
Aguara-4 and SFH304,whereasPan-7351was the last ranked hybrid. Five
hybrids viz: Pan-7057, Ausigold61, Ausigold7, SFH301 andHysun-33 were
stable for seed and oil yields (t/ha) under favorable environments. However
Pan-7033, Aguara-4 and SFH304 were stable hybrids under unfavorable
environments.
