Yielding ability and inter-relationships in sunflower in the western region of Saudi Arabia

الملخص EN

A two (2) year study was made on phenotypic variability.

simple correlations and path coefficient analysis on seed yield and some of its components in 12cultivars of sunflower i Helianthus annuus L.).

Except for number of leaves per plant.

significant differences were observed among the cultivars for the seven characters investigated .

Total biomass gave positive and significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.01) with seed yield.

plant height (r '" 0.515") but negative (r '" - 0.578") correlations with harvest index.

Path coefficient analysis indicated thai total biomass and harvest index had the largest direct effects on seed yield whereas plant height and number of leaves per plant had the largest indirect effects via total biomass.

The six traits.

when considered jointly, accounted for 73% of the variability associated with seed yield .