Combining ability for seed yield, its components and oil content in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The experimental material was developed by crossing newly developed seven lines and eight testers in Line x Tester fashion. Parents and their 56 hybrids were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications at Oilseed Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola during kharif 2014 to estimate the combining ability effects. Among the parents CMS-243A, RHA-138-2R and AKSF-14R were found to be best general combiners for most of the yield contributing traits, seed yield and oil content. Line CMS-234A and AKSF-8R were also found to be good general combiner for oil content, thus these parents should be included in future hybridization programme for improvement in seed yield as well as oil content in sunflower. On the basis of mean performance, specific combining ability effects of crosses and general combining ability effects of the parents, three crosses viz., CMS-243A x AKSF-8R, CMS-234A x RHA-138-2R and CMS-234A x AKSF-6R were identified as promising crosses for seed yield and as well as oil content.