Contribution of interspecific hybridization to sunflower breeding

Abstract

This investigation is directed at improving sunflower using hybrid forms resulted from interspecific hybridization. The aim is to create new B/A and R lines from interspecific hybrid forms that are resistant to diseases, the parasite broomrape, herbicides, and other stress factors and are characterized with high combining ability and to obtain on this basis highly productive oilseed sunflower hybrids with varied fatty acid composition of oil. The investigation was carried out during the period 1983-2010. It involved 16 cultivars and 18 B lines with their analogues as well hybrid material originated from 38 Helianthus species - 9 annuals and 29 perennials. Intraspecific hybridization and purposeful selection were the methods used. Crossing between interspecific hybrids and crossing of interspecific hybrids with sunflower cultivars or lines were applied. Self-pollination, sib-pollination, backcross with pollen from cultivated sunflower and pollination with pollen from different interspecific hybrids were carried out. Phytopathological and biochemical evaluation of seeds and plants and morphological characterization of sunflower forms, lines and hybrids were performed. New sunflower forms and lines were created as a result of this investigation. A greater part of them possess resistance to downy mildew, phomopsis, phoma and alternaria, tolerance to sclerotinia and full resistance to the different races of the parasite broomrape. The new forms were distinguished by new plant architecture, different vegetation period and seeds with different size and coloration. New B/A and R lines having high combining ability and seed oil and fatty acid contents were obtained. Fifteen sources of cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) were obtained from interspecific hybrid forms, as were 251 sources of genes for restoration of fertility (Rf genes). Five new hybrid cultivars of the oilseed type that were obtained on the basis of these lines were created and registered. The obtained results from the investigations showed that by interspecific hybridization new genetic material was transferred to the cultivated sunflower. These results have augmented the contribution of interspecific hybridization to sunflower breeding.