Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Diaporthe helianthi are important pathogens of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). Two hundred and twenty F2-F3 families were developed from an intraspecific cross between two inbred sunflower lines XRQ and PSC8. Using this segregating population a genetic map of 19 linkage groups with 290 molecular markers covering 2,318 cM was constructed. Disease resistances were measured in field experiments during 3 years (1998, 1999 and 2000) for phomopsis and 2 years for S. sclerotiorum (1997 and 1999). QTL were detected using the interval mapping method at a LOD threshold of 3. A total of 15 QTL for each pathogen resistance were detected across several linkage groups, confirming the polygenic nature of the resistances. These QTL explained from 7 to 41% of the phenotypic variability. The QTL for phomopsis resistance, in the 3 years of tests, mapped in the same region, and this was also true for some forms of S. sclerotiorum resistance in the 2 years of tests. On linkage group 8, QTL affecting resistance to both S. sclerotiorum and D. helianthi mycelium extension on leaves colocalised, suggesting a common component in the mechanism of resistance for these two pathogens. The colocalisation of QTL and breeding for resistance to S. sclerotiorum and to D. helianthi by pyramiding QTL in sunflower are discussed.

Six male sterile sunflower lines were crossed with seven restorers in a factorial mating design. The 13 inbred lines and their 42 F1 hybrids were planted in a randomized block design with three replicates. Each replicate consisted of two rows, 5 m long (30–35 plants per replicate). Resistance to natural Phomopsis infection, presented as the percentage of plants with no encircling necrosis lesions of the fungus on the main stem, was determined at physiological maturity. Analysis of variance showed that female and male general combining abilities (GCA) and specific combining abilities (SCA) of F1 hybrids were significant. The ratio of additive variance to total variance was 0.662, a high value which indicates prevailing additive effects. The additive variance due to females was more important than that of males, probably because of the existence of maternal effects or more effective genes for resistance in the female lines used in this experiment. The estimates of GCA were significant and positive for LC1004A, KO549A, 50KD8 and LC1064C inbred lines. These lines should be considered in developing hybrids with improved resistance to Phomopsis in sunflower breeding programmes.