Identification of inbred lines with superior combining ability for hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus) production in Turkey

Abstract

This research was conducted to estimate general and specific combining abilities for seed yield and certain yield components. Five female (CMS) lines and five male (restorer) lines were crossed resulting in 25 hybrids for determination of superior F1 sunflower (Helianthus annuus) hybrids using line x tester analysis. Based on the performance and gca, the parents CMS11/2, CMS47/1, RHA68/4, and RHA72/3 were found to be good general combiners. The crosses CMS11/2 x RHA68/4, CMS11/2 x RHA69/, CMS11/2 x RHA72/3, CMS46/2 x RHA72/3, and CMS47/1 x RHA71/1 gave the highest yields in the experiment, and in addition, CMS11/2 x RHA68/4 showed significant specific combining ability for seed yield. Three other crosses also revealed positive specific combining ability for other characters.