Sunflower Hybrids with High Genetic Potential for the Seed Yield, in Different Environmental Conditions

Abstract

Sunflower breeders, working for a model of sunflower, must know the main characteristics of the environment for which they are developing the hybrids, starting from soil type, potential growing season length, mean, minimum and maximum temperatures (per month) and the amount and distribution of rainfall, during the year. The creation of hybrids with high potential of productivity, must take into consideration the high adaptive potential to the ecological environment. We studied a set of 18 sunflower hybrids, in two years (2018 and 2109), in four locations, situated in different areas of Romania: Cogealac (south Romania), Şimleu Silvaniei (western Romania), Negreşti (eastern Romania) and Mircea Vodă (south-eastern Romania). The hybrids were cultivated in two randomized replications. Comparing the two years, 2018 and 2019, regarding the air temperature and the amount of rainfall, in sunflower vegetation period, year 2018 was generally dryer, compared with 2019. Results showed that the seed yield for the eighteen hybrids was different by year and by location. In 2018 the difference between locations was not so high compared with 2019. The highest seed yield in 2019 was obtained by almost all hybrids, in two locations (Negreşti and Mircea Vodă). The lowest seed yield was obtained by all hybrids in Cogealac location, due to drought and also to the high infestation with broomrape parasite.