Yield Performance of Sunflower (Helianthus Annus L.) Genotypes of Selfing and Outcrossing

Sunflower is a predominantly outbreeding species and depends on insect pollinators such as bees to effect pollination. Yield performance of seven genotypes of sunflower was studied on selfing and outcrossing. The seven genotypes comprised of three open pollinated varieties-Rekord, Kenya Fedha and Kenya Shaba while the hybrids comprised of S400, a single cross hybrid and 3 3-way cross hybrids 7353,7369 and H8998. On selfing and outcrossing the yield of genotypes 7353 and 7369 were not significantly (P>0.05) different. The hybrid 7353 ranked the highest in the yield on selfing and open pollination. All the hybrids, except 8998, outyielded the open pollinated varieties significantly (p < 0.01) on selfing. The hybrids had the highest autogamy of 79% whereas the open pollinated varieties had autogamy of 45%. Spearman's rank correlation for autogamy and yield on selfing was significant (p<0.05). This study indicated that some genotypes yielded highly even in the absence of pollinators and selection for selfcompatibility and its application in sunflower production was feasible