Evaluation of three cycles of recurrent selection for improvement of seed yield in safflower using genetic male sterility

Abstract Three cycles of recurrent selection for seed yield were conducted in a genetically broad-based population of safflower segregating for genetic male sterility for development of safflower varieties with broad genetic base. Four families from C 1 , 26 families from C 2 and 41 families from C 3 significantly out-yielded the check variety, Bhima. The percent increase in seed yield over check variety, Bhima ranged from 24.37 to 35.52%. The highest yield was recorded by half-sib 68 (2131 kg/ha) followed by half-sib 109 (2091 kg/ha) and half sib 92 (1985 kg/ha) in advanced yield trials. The application of recurrent selection procedure provides a better approach for development of higher yielding safflower varieties with a broad genetic base