The genuineness of a hybrid is one of the most important characteristics of good quality seed. In order to identify pure hybrid and pollen shedders/ offtypes an investigation was performed to identify an ideal SSR marker. 58 primer pairs were screened to identify the specific marker associated with each hybrid and parental lines. Hybrid KBSH-44 could be clearly identified by using ORS 309 and ORS 170, based on the banding pattern resolved on polyacrylamide gel (6%). The complementary banding pattern of both parents made a way to identify the hybrid. ORS 309 amplified allele size at 250 bp was specific to female parent (CMS-17A) and 230 bp was specific to male parent (RHA 95-C-1). These two bands of allele size 230 and 250 bp were found only in hybrid KBSH-44. Another SSR primer ORS 170 was able to distinguish the hybrid KBSH-44 by amplifying allele of size 230 bp a female specific (CMS-17A) allele and 200 bp amplicon a male specific allele (RHA 95-C-1). SSR primer ORS 811 found specific to identify KBSH-53 and it amplified allele of size 270 bp in its female parent (CMS-53A) and allele size of 230 bp in its pollen parent (RHA 95-C-1). The hybrid has both the alleles from its parents at 270 and 230 bp.

The sunflower is grown widely for the purpose of edible oil. The oil is most desirable for its oil content and quality because it contains a number of polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid), as well as saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid). Oils with more unsaturated fatty acids are preferred as they lower the cholesterol content in a human body. High oleic sunflower oil has a higher oxidative stability than most other cooking oils and they are most effective in preventing cardio vascular diseases. Hence, an experiment was conducted with a major objective to evaluate diverse germplasm lines for high oil content and high oleic acid and to identify molecular markers for high oleic acid. The genotypes included cms-lines, R-lines, germplasm lines and inbreds. Initially, the selected genotypes were screened with SSR markers. Among them a few primers showed differentiating bands between low and high oleic contents. To confirm the primer, the initial study was carried out with the released hybrids. Simultaneously, fatty acid profiling was also done for four fatty acids using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Oil content was also estimated in these genotypes by NMR spectrometer. The range for oil content was from 28% to 44%, whereas for oleic acid it was from 23.63% to 90.58%. Later the primer was used for further screening of all the genotypes and the parental lines were selected for the heterosis breeding programme.

Shelf life of two products namely chikki and oilseed butter were evaluated. Sunflower was substituted for groundnut at three levels (0, 50 and 100 %). Products were stored up to 2 months in ambient conditions (25-30 °C; RH 40-60 %). Chikki was packed in Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and laminated pouches and oil seed butter was stored in glass and plastic jars. Products were evaluated for sensory characteristics, absence of rancidity; per cent free fatty acid and peroxide value. Stored chikki was evaluated for microbial load. Products were acceptable for sensory attributes even at the end of storage period. Product chikki stored in laminated pouches had higher per cent free fatty acid and peroxide value compared to that stored in Low density polyethylene (LDPE) pouches. Oilseed butter stored in glass jar had higher per cent free fatty acid when compared to that stored in plastic jar. Stored chikki had higher microbial load in the Low density polyethylene (LDPE) when compared to that stored in laminated pouches. Products made with groundnut alone (control) were preferred over those made in combination with sunflower and groundnut (1:1) or sunflower alone. However all products were highly acceptable at the end of storage period.

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Sunflower is an important oilseed crop, known to grow a strong dominating single flower head. In recent times, axillary buds initiation and formation of multi flower heads is a common feature in many sunflower hybrids. To find out the reason for multi headedness an experiment was carried out in the hybrid KBSH-41. It was found that this trait is regulated by the interaction of environmental signals and plant growth regulators such as auxin and cytokinin. Any kind of stress induces the bud growth which affects the translocation of hormones in the transpiration system, especially auxin. When the translocation of basipetally moving auxin reduces, concentration of acropetally moving cytokinin increases leading to the development of axillary buds. When, under normal conditions,auxin to cytokinin ratio is not altered the plants develop single flower heads. The results of this study suggest that auxin has an inhibitory effect on the growth of axillary buds, while cytokinin promotes their growth. The mechanism of axillary bud growth depends on the ratio of these two hormones.