Possible correlations among grain yield and thirteen agronomic characteristics were investigated in fourteen sunflower germplasm in a field experiment in Campinas, Brazil. In order to better understand the interrelationships among the studied variables path coefficient analysis was used for partitioning correlation in direct and indirect effects. Significant positive correlations were observed between grain yield and head diameter (r=0.63), and weight of 1000 grains (r=0.55). Head diameter, percentage of normal grains and weight of 1000 grains can be easily measured and showed positive direct effects on grain yield which led them suitable for indirect selection.
germplasm; indirect selection; plant breeding; Helianthus annuus L.
