Estimation of genetic parameters for yield and its component in F₄ generation of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

The analysis of genetic parameters of 25 cross progenies of safflower revealed high estimates of genotypic coefficient variation and phenotypic coefficient variation for seed yield per plant. Number of seeds per capitulum, number of secondary branches, number of primary branches, test weight and seed yield per plant, indicating that simple selection could be effective for improving seed yield and its attributes. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for test weight, seed yield per pJant and number of seeds per capitulum indicated that these characters are governed by additive gene effect and additive x additive epistatic interactions and thus ensured reliability for direct selection in safflower.