Influence of Genotype and Planting Date on Seed Yield and it&rsquo;s Components in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Kaka Hama, Mohammed Hussein; Mahmood, Hekmat Noori

doi:10.58928/ku26.17125

	Influence of Genotype and Planting Date on Seed Yield and it’s Components in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2026, Pages 222-231 PDF (768.2 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku26.17125
Authors
Mohammed Hussein Kaka Hama^* ; Hekmat Noori Mahmood
Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Abstract
Two key factors, sunflower genotypes and planting dates, significantly impact sunflower seed production. This study examines the relationship between sunflower yield and its components. (split-plot design) was used with three replications across two seasons at the Qlyasan location in 2024. The subplot treatments included planting dates in spring (March 15, April 4, and 24) and summer (July 1, 21, and August 10). The main plot treatments consisted of four sunflower genotypes (BAROLO RO, VELKO, DEA, and LOCAL). Results revealed notable differences among genotypes in seed yield, with the BAROLO RO genotype producing the highest seed yield (3094.573 and 3237.292 kg ha-1) in both seasons. For planting dates, April 4 and July 1 yielded the highest seed yield (2939.483 kg ha-1 and 2607.640 kg ha-1) in spring and summer, respectively. The results revealed a positive and highly significant relationship between seed yield and full seed weight (r = 0.930) during the spring season. The correlation between seed yield and other characters, such as stem diameter, head diameter, head weight, and full seed weight, showed a highly significant and positive correlation (r = 0.857, r = 0.962, r = 0.955, and r = 0.967) in the summer season. Path coefficient analysis helps break down the correlation into direct and indirect effects. The highest positive direct effect was (1.485; 0.441) for 1000-seed weight, and head weight in spring and summer. The highest indirect effect was 1.492 for head diameter, mediated by the number of full seeds plant-1, and 0.416 for full seed weight, as indicated by head weight during the spring and summer seasons. Results suggest that selecting based on head diameter, head weight, 1000-seed weight, full-seed weight, and the number of full seeds per plant will be more effective in improving yield.
Keywords
Sunflower; Planting Date; Sunflower Genotype; Correlation; Path Analysis

References
[1]. Adeleke, B.S., and Babalola, O.O., 2020. Oilseed crop sunflower (Helianthus annuus) as a source of food: Nutritional and health benefits. Food Sci Nutr., 8(9), P. 4666-84, doi:10.1002/fsn3.1783. [2]. Kendarini, N., Herwati, A., Novansyah, R.A., and Ardiarini, N.R., 2025. Determining the relationship between yield and yield components in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). J. Agriprecision Soc. Impact, 2(1), doi.org/10.62793/japsi. v2i1.51. [3]. National Sunflower Association (NSA), 2023. Sunflower Production Guide, Bismarck, ND: NSA Publications. [4]. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2023. World Agricultural Production Report, Washington, DC, USDA. [5]. Ahmed, M.A., Abd-Elsaber, A., and Abdelsatar, M.A., 2020. Effect of sowing dates on yield and yield attributes of some sunflower hybrids. Agricultura, no.,1-2, P. 131-144, https://doi.org/10.15835/agrisp.v113i1-2.13678. [6]. Mahmood, H.N., 2013. Effect of planting dates and plant spacing on growth, yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Sulaimani Journal for Pure and Applied Sciences, 15(4), pp.59-71. https://doi.org/10.17656/jzs.10275. [7]. Ovuka, J., Crnobarac, J., Radic, V., and Miklic, V., 2014. Sunflower seed quality and yield in relation to environmental conditions of production region. Helia, 35(57), P. 123-134, https://doi.org/10.2298/hel1257123m. [8]. Abd El-Satar, M.A., Fahmy, R.M., and T.H.A. Hassan, T.H.A., 2015. Genetic control of sunflower seed yield and its components under different edaphic and climate conditions. The 9th Plant Breeding International Conference, September 2015, Egypt. J. Plant Breed, 19(5), P. 103-123, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohamed-Abdelsatar-2/publication/316107995_GENETIC_CONTROL_OF_SUNFLOWER_SEED_YIELD_AND_ITS_COMPONENTS_UNDER_DIFFERENT_EDAPHIC_AND_CLIMATE_CONDITIONS/links/58f0cbe1458515ff23aafcd9/GENETIC-CONTROL-OF-SUNFLOWER-SEED-YIELD-AND-ITS-COMPONENTS-UNDER-DIFFERENT-EDAPHIC-AND-CLIMATE-CONDITIONS.pdf. [9]. Abd EL-Satar, M.A., Abd-EL-Halim Ahmed, A., and Hassan, T.H.A., 2017. Response of seed yield and fatty acid compositions for some sunflower genotypes to plant spacing and nitrogen fertilization. Inf. Process. Agric., 4(3), P. 241-252, doi:10.1016/j.inpa.2017.05.003. [10]. Hosni, T., Abbes, Z., Thebti, S., and Kharrat, M., 2024. Evaluation of genetic diversity among sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes from different origins through agro-morphological traits for use in future breeding. Euro-Mediterr. J. Environ. Integr., 10(5), doi.org/10.1007/s41207-024-00713-x. [11]. Ibrahim, H.M., 2012. Response of some sunflower hybrids to different levels of plant density. APCBEE Procedia, 4, P. 175-182, doi.org/10.1016/j.apcbee.2012.11.030. [12]. Mihaela, P.O.P.A., Anton, G.F., RÎȘNOVEANU, L., Petcu, E. and BĂBEANU, N., 2017. The effect of planting date and climatic condition on oil content and fatty acid composition in some Romanian sunflower hybrids. AgroLife Scientific Journal, 6(1), https://agrolifejournal.usamv.ro/index.php/agrolife/article/view/173. [13]. Ali, B., Memon, S., Soomro, Z.A., Bhutto, L.A., Memon, S.A. and Memon, A., 2023. Efficacy of different quantitative characters in sunflower genotypes (Helianthus annuus L.) under Tandojam climate conditions. Pure and Applied Biology (PAB), 12(2), p.1214-1223, doi:10.19045/bspab.2023.120124. [14]. Ahmad, S., Eivazi, A., Saba, J. and Niazkhani, M., 2013. Multivariate analysis of grain yield and its components in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Advanced Crop Sci, 3(9), p.620-627. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%252C5&q=Ahmad+Eivazi+Saba+Niazkhani+sunflower+yield+2013. [15]. Purba, D. and Purba, M., 2022. Aplikasi Analisis Korelasi dan Regresi menggunakan Pearson Product Moment dan Simple Linear Regression. Citra Sains Teknologi, 1(2), p.97-103, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=14.%09Purba%2C+D.+and+Purba%2C+M.%2C+2022.+Aplikasi+Analisis+Korelasi+dan+Regresi+menggunakan+Pearson+Product+Moment+dan+Simple+Linear+Regression.+Citra+Sains+Teknologi%2C+1%282%29%2C+p.97-103.&btnG=. [16]. Kaya, Y., Evci, G., Durak, S., Pekcan, V. and Gucer, T., 2009. Yield components affecting seed yield and their relationships in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Pak. J. Bot, 41(5), p.2261-2269, http://www.pakbs.org/pjbot/PDFs/41(5)/PJB41(5)2261.pdf. [17]. Mijić, A., Liović, I., Zdunić, Z., Marić, S., Marjanović-Jeromela, A. and Jankulovska, M., 2009. Quantitative analysis of oil yield and its components in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Romanian Agricultural Research, 26, p.41-46, https://fiver.ifvcns.rs/handle/123456789/664. [18]. Machikowa, T. and Saetang, C., 2008. Correlation and path coefficient analysis on seed yield in sunflower. Suranaree J. Sci. Technol, 15(3), p.243-248, https://ird.sut.ac.th/e-journal/document/contents/Journal15(3)/Journal15(3)/(243-248)8.pdf. [19]. Ashok, S., N. Mohamed-Sheriff and S.L. Narayanan, 2000. Character association and path coefficient analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Crop Res. Hisar, 20: 453–6, https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20013006015. [20]. Yudiaatmaja, F., 2021. Analisis Jalur (Perhitungan Manual Dan Aplikasi Komputer Statistik)-Rajawali Pers. PT. RajaGrafindo Persada. [21]. Gül, V. and Coban, F., 2020. Determination of yield and quality parameters of oil sunflower genotypes grown in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 25(1), p.9-17, doi:10.17557/tjfc.609749. [22]. Abas, S.A., Abdulhamed, Z.A. and Abood, N.M., 2025. Impact of climate change on the growth, yield, and sunflower cultivar performance under the influence of plant density. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 56(Special), p.10-19, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5774-5906. [23]. Öztürk, F., 2021. Determination of Yield, Oil and Fatty Acid Composition of Some Oil Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) Genotypes İn Diyarbakır Conditions. Harran Tarım ve Gıda Bilimleri Dergisi, 25(1), p.30-40, https://doi.org/10.29050/harranziraat.756505. [24]. Mahmood, H.N., 2021. Efficacy of various NPK application methods on the yield of different sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes grown during spring seasons. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 19(1), p.491-505, doi:10.15666/aeer/1901_491505. [25]. Lagiso, T.M., Singh, B.C.S. and Weyessa, B., 2021. Evaluation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes for quantitative traits and character association of seed yield and yield components at Oromia region, Ethiopia. Euphytica, 217(2), p.27, doi:10.1007/s10681-020-02743-2. [26]. Ozturk, E., Polat, T. and Sezek, M., 2017. The effect of sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer form on growth, yield and yield components in sunflower. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 22(1), p.143-151, doi:10.17557/tjfc.312373. [27]. Baghdadi, A., Halim, R.A., Nasiri, A., Ahmad, I. and Aslani, F., 2014. Influence of plant spacing and sowing time on yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 12(2), p.688-691, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=Baghdadi+Halim+Nasiri+2014+sunflower+spacing+sowing. [28]. Ozturk, F., 2020. Seed yield, oil content and fatty acid composition of some sesame genotypes as influenced by sowing time at southeast anatolia in turkey. fresenius environmental bulletin, 29(7 A), p.6328-6337, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ferhat-Oeztuerk-2/publication/342083410_SEED_YIELD_OIL_CONTENT_AND_FATTY_ACID_COMPOSITION_OF_SOME_SESAME_GENOTYPES_AS_INFLUENCED_BY_SOWING_TIME_AT_SOUTHEAST_ANATOLIA_IN_TURKEY/links/5ee14ff2458515814a543ed0/SEED-YIELD-OIL-CONTENT-AND-FATTY-ACID-COMPOSITION-OF-SOME-SESAME-GENOTYPES-AS-INFLUENCED-BY-SOWING-TIME-AT-SOUTHEAST-ANATOLIA-IN-TURKEY.pdf. [29]. Taha, M.A., Ali, A.A.G., Zeiton, O.A. and Geweifel, H.G.M., 2010. SOME Agronomic factors affecting productivity and quality of sunflower (helianthus annuus l.) in newly cultivated sandy soil. Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research, 37(3), pp.505-532, doi:10.21608/zjar.2010.317687. [30]. Razzaq, H., Nadeem Tahir, M.H., Ahmad Sadaqat, H. and Sadia, B., 2017. Screening of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) accessions under drought stress conditions, an experimental assay. Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 17(3), p.662-671, doi:10.4067/S0718-95162017000300009. [31]. Tyagi, S., & Khan, M., 2013. Correlation and path coefficient analysis for seed yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). International Journal of Agricultural Research, Sustainability and Food Sufficiency, 1(2), p.7. [32]. Gangavati, L. and Kulkarni, V.V., 2021. Correlation and path analysis in advanced inbred lines of sunflower. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 10(01), p.1381-1389, doi:10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1001.164. [33]. Singh, N. and Bhatla, S.C., 2018. Nitric oxide regulates lateral root formation through modulation of ACC oxidase activity in sunflower seedlings under salt stress. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 13(5), p.e1473683, doi:10.1080/15592324.2018.1473683. [34]. Chambó, E.D., De Oliveira, N.E., Garcia, R.C., Ruvolo-Takasusuki, C.C. and De Toledo, V.D.A.A., 2017. Phenotypic correlation and path analysis in sunflower genotypes and pollination influence on estimates. Open Biological Sciences Journal, 3(1), p.9-15, doi:10.2174/2352633501703010009. [35]. Gonsiorkiewicz Rigon, C.A., Rigon, G., Paulo, J. and Capuani, S., 2014. Correlation and path analysis as an indirect selection criterion for sunflower achene productivity. p.768-773, http://hdl.handle.net/11449/130296. [36]. Zia-Ullah, Z., Sadaqat, H.A., Tahir, M.H.N. and Sadia, B., 2013. Path coefficient analysis of various traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Journal of Global Innovations in Agricultural and Social Sciences, 1, p.5-8, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%252C5&q=Zia-Ullah+Sadaqat+Tahir+Sadia+2013+sunflower+path+coefficient. [37]. Yasin, A.B. and Singh, S., 2010. Correlation and path coefficient analyses in sunflower. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science, 2(5), p.129-133, https://academicjournals.org/article/article1379588831_Yasin%20and%20Singh.pdf. [38]. Maria, G., Farooq, A.K., Sajida, H., Rizwana, Q., Fida, H., Hafiz, S.B.M. and Muhammad, A., Genetic Variability Studies for Economically Important Traits in Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.). Curr Inves Agri Curr Res 2 (2)-2018. CIACR. MS. ID, 135, https://lupinepublishers.com/agriculture-journal/pdf/CIACR.MS.ID.000135.pdf. [39]. Riaz, A., Nadeem Tahir, M.H., Rizwan, M., Fiaz, S., Chachar, S., Razzaq, K., Riaz, B. and Sadia, H., 2019. Developing a selection criterion using correlation and path coefficient analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Helia, 42(70), p.85-99, doi:10.1515/helia-2017-0031. [40]. Farhatullah, Farooq-e-azam, & Khalil, I., 2006. Path analysis of the coefficients of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids. International Journal of Agriculture & Biology, 8(5), p.621-626, http://www.fspublishers.org/. [41]. Baraiya, V.K., Jagtap, P.K., Sangani, J.L. and Malviya, A.V., 2018. Correlation and path analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annus L.). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(5), p.2730-2732, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vipul-Baraiya/publication/328904209_Correlation_and_path_analysis_in_sunflower_Helianthus_annus_L/links/5beabf43a6fdcc3a8dd21b58/Correlation-and-path-analysis-in-sunflower-Helianthus-annus-L.pdf. [42]. Streiner, D.L., 2005. Finding our way: an introduction to path analysis. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(2), p.115-122, https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370505000207.
Statistics Article View: 108 PDF Download: 47