RESUMEN
Aim: Development of commercial hybrid of sunflower on basis of best inbred combination remains a key challenge to sunflower breeders. In the current investigation, heterosis of F1 hybrids, parental genetic diversity and correlation between genetic distance and level of heterosis were estimated. Methodology: Thirty five parental genotypes (3 CMS A lines and 32 R lines) and their hybrids were assessed for physio-morphological, yield and quality traits. Heterosis was measured as mid-parent and better parent heterosis. Among parents, SSR marker based genetic distances were calculated using DARwin software. Correlation between heterosis and genetic distances was carried out by Karl Pearson’s simple correlation method. Results: Range of genetic distances, based on SSR marker analysis, varied from 0.32-0.73. Genetic distance had significant positive correlation with the heterosis for oil content (r = 0.22 p<0.05) and linoleic acid (r = 0.32 p<0.05), but negative correlation was observed for days to maturity, test weight, volume weight, stearic acid and oleic acid. There was no significant correlation between genetic distance and heterosis for seed yield and other agronomic traits. Interpretation: Although, genetic distance is poor predictor of heterosis, dependence of oil content on genetic distance among parental lines may be used for designing an effective breeding program for sunflower.