Response of Qualitative Traits of Sunflower Helianthus annuus (L.) Cultivars to Spraying with Glycine Acid

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out during the spring seasons of 2021 and 2022 in the fields of a farmer in the district of Ramadi - Anbar province, in silty loam soil texture, with the aim of studying the response of qualitative traits of sunflower cultivars (Sakha, Luluah, and Akmar) to spraying with Glycine acid at concentrations of (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L−1). The experiment was conducted according to randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with three replicates, with a total of 36 experimental units, where the Glycine acid concentrations occupied the main plots, and the cultivars occupied the sub-plots. The most important results indicate that cultivars had a significant effect on most of the studied traits, with the Akmar cultivar achieving the highest percentage of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and unsaturated fatty acid percentage in both seasons, while the Luluah cultivar achieved the highest percentage of stearic and palmitic acids, and saturated fatty acid percentage in both seasons. The superiority of the Akmar cultivar and the high concentrations of Glycine acid, and their interaction in the percentage of oleic and linoleic acids, led to an increase in the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, which improved the quality of sunflower oil, as the high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids and low percentage of saturated fatty acids are a desirable trait in sunflower oil.