Abstract

The sunflower population TNHSF 239 was developed from a gene pool involving inter specific cross between Helianthus annuus and Helianthus praecox. It matures in 85-90 days. This cultivar TNHSF 239 recorded 1360 and 1520 kg ha-1 seed yield under rainfed and irregulated situations respectively. The yield increase over CO 4 and Morden are 18.5 and 37.7 per cent respectively under rainfed condition. Similarly, under irrigated condition this population out yielded CO 4 and Morden by 15.6 and 34.7 per cent respectively. This population has the higher oil content of 40.3 per cent as compared to other released varieties viz. CO 4 (35.6%) and Morden (31.6%) on seed basis. The kernel oil content (after dehulling) is also higher in TNHSF 239 (48.3%) as compared to CO 4 (38.7%) and Morden (36.4%). The hull content of this variety is comparable to the check varieties. In view of its superior performance in respect of high seed and oil yield coupled with high autogamy, this population is released as sunflower variety CO (SFV) 5 for general cultivation in Tamil Nadu during 2006.

Keywords: CO (SFV) 5, sunflower, high oil content, population, variety