Correlations of confectionary seed traits in different head zones sunflower

Abstract It is proposed to study the qualities of sunflower seeds in three zones of location in the head. Moderate negative correlations of the sign of the number of lateral heads (branching) in sunflower lines from the mass of 1000 seeds, the number of rows, seeds in a row, the total number of seeds and the diameter of the head were established (r = −0.5 to −0.53* on the Chedokk scale). The dependence of the number of seeds in the head on its size was confirmed (r = 0.83). In particular, we obtained a high positive correlation between the signs of the number of rows in the head and the number of seeds in the row with the size of the head (0.71 and 0.72). It was established that the mass of 1000 seeds of the first tier has correlations with the number of seeds in a row and the number of rows (r = 0.32 and 0.39), which are attributed only to the group of noticeable ones. This indicates the possibility of combining in one plant a large number and size of seeds in the head. It was found that changes in the size and weight of the seeds in the head by zone occur in hybrids and lines gradually, while the variety shows only a slight decrease in the size and weight of the seeds in the third zone. The largest quantity and the best confectionary quality of seeds was provided by the Zaporizhzhya Confectionery variety. In hybrids, the output of seeds weighing 90–80 g from one head reached only 1000 pieces. The potential to increase the number of seeds in heads in hybrids is present, but the size of the seeds is critical. With the available average weight of 1000 seeds: 90 g in the best maternal line and 70 in the best paternal line, the hybrids only approached the 100 g mark.