Analysis of variability for seed yield and related characters in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract

Thirty five genotypes of saffower are grown under four diverse environments. High genotypic coefficient of variation for yield per plant and number of seeds per capitulum was observed at all the environments and only for yield per plant over environments. Moderate coefficient of variation for number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of capitula per plant and harvest index was observed in pooled analysis. High heritability estimates were observed for days to maturity, number of capitula per plant, number of seeds per capitulum, yield per plant and hull content. Seed yield per plant, number of seeds per capitulum and harvest index had high genetic advance coupled with high heritability under individual environment, indicating scope for the improvement of these characters through selection.