DETERMINATION OF POTENTIAL SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) CULTIVARS FOR THE IRRIGATED CONDITIONS OF DIYARBAKIR

This study was conducted in 2009 at the experiment field of the South East Anatolian Agricultural Research Institute in Diyarbakir in order to determine potential sunflower cultivars for irrigated conditions in the region. The cultivars Sanay, P-4223, Alhasa, Pactol, Armada, Sirena, C-70165, Tunca, Isera, Tarsan-1018, and Tr-3080 were tested in the experiment. Important characteristics such as plant height, head diameter, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil yield were investigated. According to the results, statistical differences were found between the cultivars for 1000-seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil yield at the 5% probability level. The highest seed yield per hectare (4,110.7 kg) was obtained from Pioneer-4223, while the highest oil yield per hectare (139.3 kg) was produced by C-70165. The lowest oil yield per hectare was found in Tr-3080 (610.6 kg), while the lowest seed yield per hectare was found in Tr-3080 (1,790.6 kg). The highest oil content (40.1%) was obtained from Armada and the lowest from Pioneer-4223 with 34.4%. The highest 1000-seed weight (83.7 g) was obtained from Isera and the lowest from Armada with 56.1 g. The highest plant height (249.9 cm) was obtained from C- 70165 and the lowest from Tr-3080 (181.4 cm). The largest head diameter was found in Tunca (17.4 cm) and the smallest in Armada (13.9 cm). Results from this study indicate that Pioneer-4223, Pactol, Isera. C-70165, Tarsan, and Armada can be potential cultivar in terms of yield and the other important characters investigated under the irrigated conditions in Diyarbakir.