Combining Ability and Gene Action in Sunflower Using Line*Tester Method

In order to analyze general and specific combining abilities and gene effects in sunflower for some agronomic traits, five CMS lines and four restorer lines (tester) were crossed in a line × tester scheme. Hybrids were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Agriculture Research Station, University of Tabriz, in 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. Plant height, head diameter, empty seeds per head, days to beginning of flowering, days to maturity, stem diameter and 1000 seed weight were found to be controlled mainly by additive gene effects and over-dominance effect was important for days to end of flowering. Oil yield, oil percent, head dry weight, seed weight per head, seed yield and hulled seed yield were under the control of both additive and non-additive effects. CMS lines 52, 148 and testers R50, R25 were best general combiners for seed and oil yield. The hybrid combination of R50 × 222 showed high specific combining ability for seed and oil yield.