Genetic and environmental variation for tocopherol content and composition in sunflower commercial hybrids

Abstract

Tocopherols are the most important compounds having antioxidant activity in sunflower seeds. The objective of the present research was to study the genetic and environmental variation for tocopherol content and composition in sunflower. Thirty-six sunflower hybrids were grown at 13 locations across all major areas of sunflower cultivation in southern Spain. Seed yield, 100 seed weight, oil content and tocopherol content and composition were determined. Tocopherol content ranged from 314·5 to 1024·5 mg/kg seed and from 562·8 to 1872·8 mg/kg oil. The tocopherol fraction was largely composed of alpha-tocopherol, which accounted for 88·4% to 96·3% of the total tocopherols. Both genotypic and environmental effects were significant for tocopherol content and composition. For alpha-, beta- and total tocopherol content, the effect of the genotype was larger than that of the environment, whereas the latter had a greater effect on gamma-tocopherol content. Genotype×location interaction was significant for alpha-, gamma- and total tocopherol content. Tocopherol content was not correlated with seed oil or seed yield, indicating the possibility of selecting for this trait without affecting the performance of the genotypes.