Multivariate analysis in sunflower genotypes for yield associated traits

Development and evaluation of genetics resources are an essential part of sunflower breeding. To evolve the potential heterotic hybrids in sunflower, plant breeding studies are being carried out for the selection of promising parental inbreds for various yield attributed traits. Ninety -one sunflower germplasm accessions were evaluated for seven quantitative traits during Rabi 2018-19 and data were subjected to biometric analysis for correlation and Principal Component Analysis. PCA analysis revealed that, out of 7 PCs, only 3 PCs exhibited more than 1.0 Eigenvalue and showed 71.45% variability for 91 genotypes. PC1 reported for highest variability in traits like days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. PC3 showed the positive load on yield attributing traits like hundred seed weight and single plant yield. PC1 and PC3 allowed for simultaneous selection of yield related traits. Maximum PC value found in genotypes TSG 349, GP6-313, CPI 1, CPI 12, CMS PET89B, NDI11, PM155, PM81, DRSF113, GP6 1075, TSG 331 and SCG 103 would be of practical value in sunflower breeding for identifying genotypes with specific traits for utilization in the breeding programme.