Abstract
Twelve sunflower genotypes viz. A-43, A-75, A-88, A-132, A-133, A-185, G-33, G-46, G-51, G-68, G-100 and
HBRS-1 were grown in the research field of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad, during the year, 2005 following a triplicate randomized complete block design lay out.
Variability among these genotypes was assessed for plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, internodal
length (cm), stem diameter at base (mm), head diameter (cm), head type, 100-Achene weight (g), achene weight
per head (g) and oil contents (%). Genotypic and phenotypic correlations among these traits and their direct and
indirect effects on achene weight per head were estimated. The genotypes were significantly different for all the
traits studied. The genotype HBRS-1 had the best performance for most of the characters under discussion.
Achene weight per head had positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with plant height,
internodal length and head diameter. The correlations of 100-achene weight with stem diameter and head
diameter were also positive and significant at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Internodal length followed by
stem diameter at base and head diameter had the highest direct effects on achene weight per head. 100-achene
weight had high indirect effects on achene weight per head via stem diameter and head diameter. Stem diameter
at base, head diameter and 100-achene weight can be used as indirect selection criteria for the improvement of
achene yield.
