Oil yield determinant of sunflower in climatically different regions of Iran

Farshad Nasser Ghadimi, Mehdi Ghaffari, Araz Mohammad Nouri Rad Davaji

Abstract: In order to determine the most important determinants of sunflower oil yield using path analysis 36 sunflower hybrids were evaluated for agronomic traits as a simple lattice experiment in three regions with different climate (Karaj, Gonbad and Khoy) in 2015. According to the results, seed yield had the highest correlation with oil yield in all three locations. Seed number per head in Karaj, seed number/head plus oil content in Khoy and all three components of oil yield along with stem and head diameter in Gonbad had positive correlation with oil yield. The highest positive direct effects were imposed by achene number per head, achene weight and oil content respectively in all locations. The highest indirect effects on oil yield were imposed by achene number per head in Karaj and Khoy and by achene weight in Gonbad. Stem and head diameter, days to flowering and plant height had positive indirect effect on oil yield through seed number per head in Karaj. Majority of the indirect effects on oil yield were imposed through seed weight in Gonbad. In this location stem and head diameter, days to maturity, plant height and oil content had positive effect on oil yield through achene weight while stem and head diameter and oil content through seed number per head. Plant height, achene weight, days to flowering, stem and head diameter had negative and oil content had positive effect through achene number on oil yield in Khoy. The results of this study revealed achene number per head as the main determinant of oil yield in sunflower, beside that stem and head diameter and plant height were also the next important determinants.

Keywords: correlation; oil yield components; path analysis; sunflower

Date published: 2019-02-08