QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF OIL YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.)

Increasing of oil yield is one of the most important goals in sunflower, (Helianthus annuus L.) breeding programs. The objectives of this research were to assess the interrelationships between oil yield and its components on 14 sunflower hybrids developed within a breeding program of the Agricultural Institute Osijek, Croatia. Field trials were set up according to completely randomized block design, (CRBD) on three locations during two growing seasons, (2002 and 2003). Plant height, 1,000 grain weight, test weight, grain yield, oil content and oil yield were analyzed. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were highest for grain yield, followed by oil yield and 1,000 grain weight. High values of heritability were estimated for oil content and plant height, medium for 1,000 grain weight and test weight, and low values for grain and oil yield. Highly significant positive correlation was estimated between grain yield and oil yield, but the association between grain yield and oil content was negative and low. A positive correlation coefficient was estimated between 1000 grain weight and grain yield, and a negative one between 1000 grain weight and oil content. Grain yield and oil content expressed the strongest direct effect on oil yield.