Seed yield, test weight and oil content in sunflower genotypes as influenced by various pollination methods and seasons

Abstract

The influence of imposed pollination methods viz., clothbag, cloth + assisted pollination, clothbag + bulk pollen pollination and open pollination was assessed for seed yield, 100-seed weight and oil content in 22 sunflower genotypes over two seasons. In general, the genotypes, in general, recorded higher seed yield, test weight and oil content in summer as compared with rainy season. In both seasons, seed yield was highest under open pollination and lowest under cloth bag. Seed yield was significantly improved under cloth bag with assisted pollination and cloth bag with bulk pollen pollination and cloth bag with bulk pollen pollination compared with seed yield under cloth bag. Increased test weight under cloth bag was related to low seed yield. Decreased oil content of genotypes in cloth bag treatment was ascribed to increased husk content as a consequence of low seed yield. © 2003, by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston. All rights reserved.