General and specific combining ability in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Combining ability of 56 sunflower hybrids generated by crossing eight CMS lines with seven testers was studied in respect of seed yield, oil content, head diameter and test weight. Among the CMS lines, CMS M-17A was identified as good general combiner for seed yield. While CMS 207A proved to be the good general combiners for head diameter and test weight. On the other hand, among the testers RHA 23 and RHA C1 were found to be good general combiners for seed yield and other yield contributing characters. The hybrid combination CMS 336A x RHA 23 was identified as best specific combiner for head diameter. Similarly, CMS M1A x RHA 23 for test weight and seed yield and CMS 17A x RHA 278 for oil content.