Genetic Analysis In Sunflower [Helianthus Annuus (l.)]

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) a member of family compositae having chromosome number 2n=34 is an important oilseed crop, ranking second in the world in production of edible oil. In India, it is popularly known as ¿Surajmukhi¿. ¿Sunflower¿ is a recent introduction in Indian agriculture; hence the information of research work carried out in our condition is meagre. The genetic variability in conjunction with total variability can be used in predicting the gain for a given selection intensity.For rational improvement of yield and its components, the understandings of correlations are very useful. In this context, path coefficient analysis developed by Wright (1921) is an important tool for the plant breeders in partitioning the correlation coefficient in to direct and indirect effects of independent variables on the dependent variables. Mahalanobis¿s D2 technique is one of the efficient tools for estimating genetic divergence.