Association of sunflower achene color with other achene characters and bird preference

The association of achene color with other achene characters and bird preference was investigated in segregates of a striped Yugoslavian line NS 39 and in 12 crosses of various genotypes. In the NS 39 segregates, the strongest association of achene color was with kernel content (r = 0.606), bird preference (r = 0.610) and achene oil (r = 0.445). Birds preferred lines with darker achene color which in turn was linked with higher oil and nutmeat content. In the crosses of various genotypes, achene color was strongly associated with achene oil content in segregates of two grey × black achene color crosses (r = 0.436 and 0.292) and in segregates of anthocyanin-containing × black achene color cross (r = 0.419).