Genetic divergence study in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

An investigation about the genetical diversity among 17 sunflower genotypes using nine agronomic characters was studied at the Department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Univariate and multivariate analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant among the genotypes. Mahalanobis D2 statistics indicated the presence of substantial genetic diversity. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters. Based on the intercluster distance cluster mean for various characters, potential lines were identified from clusters I and III for crossing programme. Among the investigated characters, the seed yield, plant height, oil content and oil yield exhibited high contribution towards genetic divergence. The present study indicates that the inclusion of CSFI 5076, CSFI 5162, CMS 47A, CSFI 5005, CMS 17A, CMS 47A, CSFI 5069, CSFI 5422, CSFI 5109, CSFI 5155, CSFI 5002, COSF 1A , CSFI 5161 and CSFI 5015 in future breeding programs could result in the development of superior sunflower cultivars.