Diversity Index and Phenotypic Character Analysis for Important Qualitative Traits of Sunflower [Helianthus annuus L] Genotypes in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop. It is grown for vegetable and industrial oils in the world. Sunflower oil is considered to be of supreme quality. The Production, productivity and area coverage of sunflower in Ethiopia is low and below the world average due to different reasons. Sunflower can contribute a big share in improving local edible oil production due to its short interval for maturity, high oil contents, better fitting in the cropping pattern, tolerance to drought and its high yield potential. Therefore, this study was conducted to quantify genetic variability of fourteen qualitative traits using Shannon-waver diversity index. A total of 220 genotypes including checks varieties were evaluated in 2020/21 main cropping season at Holeta, Ethiopia. Alpha lattice design was used with two replications and eleven blocks were nested within a replication. Based on fourteen qualitative traits significant variability or dissimilarity was observed among Sunflower genotypes. Analysis of Shannon-waver diversity index shows that H' values ranges from ~0.075 for leaf arrangement to ~0.99 for bract shape at the back of sunflower head. This shows that there is considerable diversity among the studied genotypes for the qualitative traits which can have good indications and amplification during selections of genotypes in sunflower improvement either ornamental type, confectionery or oil type sunflower.