Sunflowers are a globally cultivated crop, valued for their oil-rich seeds and diverse nutrient content. This study delved into the morphological traits and fatty acid profiles of 14 oilseed d non-oilseed sunflower cultivars from Iran. We assessed 10 qualitative and quantitative eed characteristics and analyzed the seed oil using gas chromatography after n-hexane extraction. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and PAST software. The study revealed significant variations in seed morphological characteristics among the cultivars, with certain traits exhibiting strong correlations. Non-oilseed cultivars displayed larger dimensions and weight compared to oilseed cultivars. The seed oils were primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), with linoleic (C18:2 (9c, 12c)) and oleic (C18:1(9c)) acids being the dominant polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, respectively, in all cultivars except Diamantis, which showed an inverse pattern. The total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) content was below 18%, with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the primary SFA and stearic acid (C18:0) as the secondary compound in all cultivars, except for assem, which exhibited a reverse pattern. Notable correlations between various fatty acids and morphological traits highlighted the influence of phenotype on oil chemical composition. Using the UPGMA tree, the cultivars were categorized into five emotype groups. The PCA-biplot revealed distinct chemical compound characteristics for ome groups, aligning with an earlier classification of sunflower cultivars based on C18:1(9c) content. Overall, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the seed morphological, chemical characteristics and significant correlations between quantitative traits and fatty acid composition. Moreover, highlight their potentials for targeted breeding programs to develop sunflower cultivars with desirable traits for both the food and oil industries. However, these results suggest that these oils possess varying potential for culinary or industrial applications, emphasizing the importance of considering fatty acid composition when selecting oil for specific purposes.
