Agronomic Characteristics Correlation of Sunflower Genotypes Grown in the Second Crop in the Cerrado

The present work aimed to evaluate the correlation of the agronomic characteristics of sunflower genotypes grown for seven years in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, as an aid for the indirect selection of genotypes. The data were obtained from experiments conducted in the period from 2009 to 2017, in the municipality of Campo Verde, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, using different sunflower genotypes. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the following agronomic characteristics: Initial flowering (IF), physiological maturation (PM), plant height (PH), thousand achene weight (TAW), achene yield (AY), oil content (OC) and oil yield (OY). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.75*) was observed between IF and AY, and a moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.67*) between PM and AY. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.51*) between TAW and OC, as well as between plant height and achene yield (r = -0.32*) and oil yield (r = -0.34*). Late-cycle genotypes showed a positive correlation with achene yield and oil yield. Smaller plants favor productive parameters. Further studies and the anticipation of the crop sowing season in the second crop are suggested due to the local edaphoclimatic conditions.