Efficiency of early generation selections for yield and related characters in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

The efficiency of early generation selection for yield and related characters in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was studied in the F2, F3 and F4 generations. Twenty-five F2 progenies derived from various crosses were studied. In the F2 generation, number of capitula per plant (CNSP), number of seeds per capitulum (SPSP), test weight (SWSP), and seed yield (SYSP) were the criteria used for single plant selection. The analysis of variance showed significant differences for all of the characters in the F2, F3, and F4 generations. The analysis of variance in each of the selection classes showed highly significant genotypic differences. A large number of selections in the CNSP and SYSP classes showed greater yield than the check variety. In each class the mean for that particular character showed a positive shift. The observed F3 and F4 means for seed yield per plant was higher in SYSP, indicating the effectiveness of single plant selection for yield. Correlated response showed that selection for number of capitula per plant was effective for improvement of yield.