Agricultural Research Station, Annigeri-582 201, Karnataka, India
*Elite Sunflower Seed Production Scheme, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065.
An eight parent diallel cross analysis of safflower involving four indigenous and four exotic parents was studied for extent of heterosis, combining ability and nature of gene action governing oil content. Heterosis over mid-parent was of low magnitude. Both GCA and SCA variances were significant. The two exotic parents ‘Royal’ and ‘Rio’ showed high gca effects while all the indigenous parents were negative combiners. Indigenous × exotic parent combinations (S-141 × Royal and A-300 × Rio) showed high specific effects. Implications of the results derived from the study for breeding high oil content cultivars in safflower have been discussed.
