Evaluation of correlation and path analysis of seed and oil yield in spring safflower cultivars under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions

Identification of the important seed and oil yield components in safflower is very efficient in genetic improvement of these traits via indirect selection. For this reason، ten spring safflower cultivars were sown at normal irrigation and drought stress conditions based on randomized completely block design with three replications in research field of Islamic Azad University، Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch at 6 March 2009. Correlation analysis showed that positive and significant relation of 1000-seed weight، No. seed/plant and oil yield with seed yield and 1000-seed weight، No. seed/plant، seed yield and oil percent with oil yield in drought stress condition. Results of correlation، regression and path analysis designed traits 1000-seed weight، No. seed/plant، No. seed/capitulum and biological yield are the best selection criteria for genetic improvement of seed yield and traits 1000-seed weight and No. seed/plant for oil yield in drought stress condition. In non-drought stress condition، traits 1000-seed weight and No. seed/plant have positive and considerable effects on seed yield and accounted for the largest amount of variation exist in this trait. Therefore، these traits are the best selection criteria for genetic improvement of seed yield in non-stress condition. On the other hand، traits 1000-seed weight، days to physiological maturity and No. seed/plant are the most important oil yield components and recommended for breeding of this trait in non-drought stress condition.