Genetics And Interrelationship of Yield and Yield Related Attributes in Some Genotypes of Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) Under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

In order to estimate variability, heritability, genetic advance and relationship of grain yield with other yield related attributes, the experiments were carried out in field research Area of Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan during two rabi growing seasons 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experimental materials were comprised of 40 genotypes of safflower and were sown in randomized complete block design with three replications each year. The analysis of variance showed that all the safflower genotypes were significantly different for all the traits studied except days to physiological maturity. Among the attributes studied the estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were generally higher than the genetic coefficient of variation (GCV).  Highest GCV was found in grain filing rate plant^-1 (49.34 & 48.25) followed by seed yield plant^-1 (49.09 & 48.18) during 2011-12 & 2012-13 respectively. Grain filing rate plant^-1 showed maximum PCV (49.78 & 48.96) followed by seed yield plant^-1 (49.64 & 49.44) during both years (2011-12 & 2012-13) respectively. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was measured in biological yield plant^-1, harvest index (%), number of heads plant^-1, and seed yield plant^-1. These results revealed that high estimates of heritability and genetic advance for these traits would be helpful for the plant breeders to select the suitable combination and to achieve the enviable level of seed yield potential in safflower under arid environment conditions. The correlation results of two year studies revealed that seed yield plant^-1 had significant and positive relationship with days to maturity, plant height, biological yield plant^-1, number of seeds head^-1, 1000-grain weight, grain filing rate plant^-1, effective head weight, number of primary branches  plant^-1 and plant height. On the other hand, days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, number of seeds head^-1, seed weight head^-1 and 1000- grain weight showed low heritability with low genetic advance.

Key words: Safflower, Rainfed, Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance, Correlation