Assessment of phenotypic variability among EEA INTA Pergamino sunflower lines: Its relationship with the grain yield and oil content

The aims of the present study were to assess phenotypic diversity among 221 sunflower accessions INTA Pergamino Sunflower Breeding Program, obtain discriminant functions that allow classification new in similar groups and evaluate relationship between genetic distance pairwise hybrid performance for grain yield oil content. We used 19 quantitative descriptors morphological variability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Hierarchical Cluster (HCA) simultaneously all variables describe variation patterns germplasm. distribution germplasm dendrogram did not follow a clear pattern with regard predefined groups. This revealed variability observed lines form breeding program despite highly selective forces applied inbred produce superior hybrids Argentinean area. work demonstrates need more in-depth be as predictor heterosis sunflower.