Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part F (2025)

A study was undertaken to assess the extent of heterosis and combining ability in sunflower using six CMS lines and seven restorer lines, crossed in a line × tester mating design during the Kharif 2024 season. The resulting hybrids were evaluated in the Rabi 2024-25 season at the Oilseeds Research Station, Latur. The cross CMS-10A × LT-05 (19.74%), exhibited the highest and significant average heterosis for seed yield per plant and other yield-related traits, closely followed by followed by CMS-82A × LT-07 (17.08%), CMS-852A × LT-04 (14.24%). For heterobeltiosis, the maximum and significant expression was recorded in CMS-10A x LT-05 (15.93 %), with the next best being CMS-852A x LT-01 (6.26 %). With respect to standard heterosis over the best check KBSH-90, the cross CMS-112A × LT-02 (46.64%), followed by CMS-10A × LT-05 (38.00%). For oil content, Among the 42 hybrids, the crosses CMS-112A × LT-02 (16.98%, 18.94%, 10.94%), CMS-82A × LT-01 (15.64%, 17.58%, 9.23%), CMS-82A × LT-03 (13.64%, 15.55%, 7.34%), CMS-112A × LT-06 (12.76%, 14.65%, 6.51%) and CMS-852A × LT-06 (13.60%, 15.51%, 7.30%) consistently exhibited significant positive standard heterosis over all three checks (LSFH-171, KBSH-44 and KBSH-90).Considering the overall mean performance along with heterosis, heterobeltiosis, and standard heterosis, five cross combinations viz: CMS-112A × LT-02, CMS-10A × LT-05, CMS-82A × LT-07, CMS-82A × LT-01, CMS-82A × LT-02 were identified as promising crosses.