Application of some biotechnological achievements in sunflower breeding

Abstract

Basic in vitro techniques, linked with the increase of genetic variability and acceleration of the breeding process, have been mastered and applied in sunflower breeding programs at Dobroudja Agricultural Institute, Bulgaria.The method of direct organogenesis has been succesfully used for genetic modifications of fertility restorer lines RHA-857, 147 R and Z-8-A and for overcoming the inability for crossing between H. annuus (hybrid Albena) and Helianthus tuberosus, Helianthus salicifolius, Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus silphioides, Verbisina helianthoides and between H. mollis and H. annuus.The method of γ-induced parthenogenesis has been successfully applied to the cultivated sunflower (H. annuus L.) for obtaining doubled haploid lines. The parthenogenetic ability of both maternal and paternal parents and the gamma-irradiation effect on parthenogenic embryo development have been studied.A number of researches have been focused on the genetic potential of wild species from the genus Helianthus. Our studies investigated the possibilities of the methods for cultivation of embryos and anthers from interspecific origin. They included the use of the embryo cultivation technique under in vitro conditions until the production and testing of finished lines that could directly participate in the breeding process. Embryos were isolated from interspecific hybrids (cultural x wild and wild x cultural) with the participation of the species H. resinosus M-046, H. strumosus M-059, H. salicifolius M-045, H. ciliaris M-092, H. giganteus M-030, H. maximiliani M-087 and H. glaucophylus M-012. The studies included and investigated 51 new lines which originated from embryos of the above interspecific crosses.A number of lines obtained from embryos of the above interspecific crosses exibited valuable economic indices and high combining ability. They were included as components in highly productive hybrids.

The Production of Helianthus Haploids: A Review of Its Current Status and Future Prospects

“…Although the rate of sunflower haploid production remains extremely low when using particular methods, some success in the application of certain genotypes developed through breeding is evident. In particular, long-term work on the creation of pure lines of sunflower fertility restorers for heterosis breeding was carried out at the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute (Bulgaria) [ 28 , 134 ]. Producing sunflower doubled haploids via induced parthenogenesis using γ-irradiated pollen has become a routine procedure [ 90 ].…”

“…A number of reviews describe the production of sunflower haploid plants [ 6 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. However, the information in these reviews is very concise and rather incomplete.…”