This study presents an evaluation of the variability for seed oil content and the relationship among the economic traits of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) F₃ populations under the environmental conditions of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Under simulated drought conditions, complex hybrids provided the basis for transgressive families due to high heterozygosity. It shows the location of families with high oil content was on the right side, making the selection in the sunflower F₃ simple and complex hybrid families. A moderate and high positive correlation existed between root mass and productivity traits, while a high positive correlation occurred between root mass and plant height. Moreover, a moderate positive correlation showed between root mass and head diameter, and varied correlations appeared between root mass and the total leaf surface area. The results revealed a weak to moderate negative correlation between the seed oil content and head diameter in the plants. The correlation analysis of seed oil content variability and the relationship of economically valuable traits in sunflower F₃ hybrid families indicated that larger heads correspond to lower oil content in most cases.

Keywords: Sunflower (H. annuus L.), simple and complex hybridization, variability, correlation analysis, root mass, productivity, plant height, leaf surface area, oil content

Key findings: Through complex hybridization, the sunflower (H. annuus L.) F₃ families with high oil content attained selection under simulated drought conditions. The complex hybridization and high heterozygosity provided the basis for the emergence of transgressive segregants.