Genebanks are a rich source of genetic diversity that can be readily exploited for crop improvement. The USDA-ARS established a cultivated sunflower germplasm collection at the National Plant Germplasm System North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station at Ames Iowa in1948. A wild Helianthus germplasm collection was established at the USDA-ARS Bushland Texas station in 1976. Presently both collections are maintained and managed at Ames Iowa. The genus Helianthus consists of 52 species and 19 subspecies with 14 annual and 38 perennial species. Over 30 explorations in the past 35 years have resulted in the assemblage of a wild sunflower collection that is the most complete in the world. Currently the sunflower collections contain 4087 accessions: 1886 cultivated H . annuus accessions and 2201 wild accessions of which 1359 accessions are annual and 842 are perennial species. This germplasm is an important current and future genetic resource to combat emerging pests and environmental challenges helping to maintain sunflower as a viable major global oilseed crop and preserve it for future generations.

The first significant breeding to high oil content in sunflowers which took place in Russia from 1930 concerned open pollinated varieties. These were the basis of modern breeding programmes which started in 1950-60 mainly in Europe Canada the USA and Argentina but work in that period in countries such as Morocco Australia and Chile also produced genotypes of direct agronomic interest or which widened the genetic variability available. Studies of the structure of this variability have become possible following genotyping of large numbers of inbred lines by microsatellites (2 or 3 per linkage group) and the definition of core collections which cover a large part of the diversity in cultivated sunflower. Although some geographic effects on combining ability have been reported the main groups which appear are characterised by cms maintenance or male fertility restoration. The collections defined should be useful in similar studies for the determination of genome sequences controlling important phenotypic characters although for characters determined by parts of the genome poorly represented by the markers enriched or specific collections may be necessary. Such knowledge should help to optimize the use of sunflower genetic resources in breeding

Ingestion of phytosterols prevents intestinal absorption of cholesterol in humans and results in a lowering of serum cholesterol which has stimulated the use of phytosterols as enriched food ingredients in functional foods. Sunflower seeds and oils are rich sources of phytosterols. The variation reported for these compounds in cultivated sunflower germplasm is low. As for many other traits wild sunflower species may contain valuable unexplored variation for phytosterol content and profile. The objective of this research was to evaluate the variation for seed phytosterols in a set of 47 wild Helianthus species from the USDA-ARS collection. An impressive variation was identified for total phytosterol content (1017 to 4308 mg kg-1 seed) and proportion of individual phytosterols particularly campesterol (5.1 to 16.3%) stigmasterol (3.1 to 23.9%) beta-sitosterol (35.1 to 72.3%) delta-5-avenasterol (1.9 to 20.5%) delta-7-stigmastenol (1.1 to 20.3%) and delta-7-avenasterol (0.3 to 10.6%). Some of the extremes of these ranges of variation have not been identified in cultivated sunflower. The feasibility of transferring genes determining interesting phytosterol traits to cultivated sunflower should be investigated. RESUMEN La ingesta de fitoesteroles reduce la absorción intestinal de colesterol en humanos y da lugar a una disminución del colesterol sérico lo que ha promovido el uso de los fitoesteroles como ingredientes de alimentos funcionales. Las semillas y aceite de girasol son fuentes ricas en fitoesteroles. La variación publicada para estos compuestos en el germoplasma de girasol cultivado es baja. Como para muchos otros caracteres las especies silvestres de girasol pueden contener una variación valiosa sin explorar para contenido y perfil de fitoesteroles. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la variación para fitoesteroles en las semillas en un conjunto de 47 especies silvestres de Helianthus de la colección del USDA-ARS. Se identificó una enorme variación tanto para el contenido total de fitoesteroles (1017 a 4308 mg kg-1 de semilla) como para la proporción de fitoesteroles individuales en particular de campesterol (5.1 a 16.3%) estigmasterol (3.1 a 23.9%) beta-sitosterol (35.1 a 72.3%) delta-5-avenasterol (1.9 a 20.5%) delta-7-estigmastenol (1.1 a 20.3%) y delta-7-avenasterol (0.3 a 10.6%). Algunos de los extremos de estos rangos de variación no han sido identificados en el girasol cultivado. La posibilidad de transferencia de genes que determinan caracteres interesantes para fitoesteroles al girasol cultivado debe ser investigada.

Plant genetic resources are currently of great interest since they are related to the satisfaction of people’s basic needs and to the solution of severe problems such as hunger and poverty. Turkey is one of the significant countries for the plant genetic resources and plant diversity. The conservation of plant genetic resources is necessary for the sustainable protection of genetic diversity since Turkey encompasses areas of major centers of crop diversity and the centre of origin for globally significant crops fodder plants and forages. Landraces of many of these crops are still used within traditional farming systems and pastures. Wild relatives and endemic species of the crop are found in their natural habitats in the rangelands and forest areas which occupy different ecosystems. The flora of Turkey consists of high endemism about 3000 out of 9500 plant species. Turkey is described as microcenters for many crops also. The importance of the protection of existing plant diversity is highly recognized and various conservation programs exist. The National Plant Genetic Resources and Plant Diversity Program (NPGRDP) operate under the coordination of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) involves ex situ (since beginning of 1960s) as well as in situ conservation including on farm conservation (since 1990s). The new uniform and high yielding varieties used in modern agriculture causes the erosion of genetic diversity of landraces old and local cultivars. The collection and characterization of those genetic resources become very essential. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the important oilseed crops for Turkey and sunflower landraces have significant diversity in Turkey as being one of the “Centres of Diversity” for sunflower. The existing sunflower landraces were collected within the framework of NPGRDP and maintained long term as ex situ at National Gene Bank and characterized for better understanding of the eco-geographic variation of sunflower landraces throughout the region as well as for assessing sustainable utilization of those collections. The genetic resources of Turkey eco-geographical distribution of sunflower landraces and the characterization result of agro-morphological variation of National sunflower collection are presented.

The objective of the study was to provide new genetic variability in important agronomic traits that can be exploited for improvement of sunflower production. Seeds of eight sunflower inbred lines from gene collection of Institute of Field and Vegetables Novi Sad were irradiated with gamma rays (γ) and fast neutrons (Nf) and treated in ethyle-methane-sulphonate (EMS) solution. The manifestation of mutations was mostly expressed in M 2 and M 3 generation. Seven mutants were developed; one early flowering two short stature and one high two with higher oil content and one branching. The stable progenies were evaluated in micro-plot tests in M 6 generation for seed yield and other traits in comparison with respective original line. Further studies should be focused on testing new mutant lines in hybrid combinations as well as the determination of inheritance of mutant traits.

A high regeneration capacity is important for in vitro conservation of genetic resources and transformation studies. The research was conducted at Uludağ University Agricultural Faculty Field Crops Department and Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory in 2011. Ten genotypes (T0910817-1 T0910950-2 T0910791-3 T0910182-2 T0910792-1 T0912285-1 T0911033-2 T091- 0791-1 T0910791-4 and T0910930-2) were used as plant materials. The apical s hoot meristems of sunflower genotypes ( Helianthus annuus L.) were dissected from 4 day-old seedlings and transferred to ½ MS medium allowing shoot and root development. The experiments were placed into growth chamber in 16/8 hour light/dark photoperiod at 26±2°C for two weeks. They were transplanted into vial containing a 1:1:2 peat-perlite-soil mixture (v/v) for acclimatization covered with nylon bags and kept at 25±2°C in 16h/8 h (light/dark) in a growth chamber for 2 weeks. Young plantlets were transferred to unsterile soil and developed to maturity. They were self-pollinated in the natural conditions. The agronomic characters (plant height head diameter number of leaves stem diameter number of branches) of in vitro grown plants were measured before harvesting. The data was analyzed with Jump statistical programme in the completely randomized design with 3 replications each replication consisted of one pot with 6 plants. Out of 10 genotypes seven showed a notable response to the in vitro establishment. The 67.33% of all cultured apical shoot meristems developed into vigorous plantlets with 3-6 leaves. The majority of the developed plantlets had vigorous root. Almost all of the plantlets grew healthy and produced fertile plants in green house conditions. The analysis of variance for all agronomic characters except for the number of branches resulted in significant differences among genotypes at 5% level. The genotype with a relatively high regeneration capacity and agronomic performances was T0911033-2 followed by T0910950-2. Plant regeneration from apical shoot meristem of sunflower is practical and efficient when appropriate genotype and sterilization procedure are used.

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.

Development of genetic collection is considered to be an essential part of genetic resources of cultivated sunflower. The VNIIMK genetic collection of identified alleles determining oleic acid content in the seed oil consists of about 50 constant inbred lines. Fourteen of them are in a core collection. The general range of this trait varies from 20 to 92%. These inbred lines correspond to four main phenotypic classes: low conventional mid and high oleic. The normal line RIL100 was shown to contain a high oleic mutation Ol in hypostatic condition. The mid oleic LG27 averagely 67% does not contain the high oleic mutation in genetic background. The high oleic LG 26 with relatively low content of oleic acid about 86% possesses resistance to suppressor’s actions.

Sunflower seeds are one of the most important sources of vegetable oil in the world. Additionally they are used for confectionery and snack food as well as for bird and pet food. Sunflower germplasm used for food differs between Morocco and Spain. Whereas sunflower seeds used for food in Morocco are mainly obtained from oilseed-type cultivars with black achenes and low hull proportion those used in Spain derive from confectionery-type cultivars with black and white striped achenes and high hull proportion. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance and seed quality of Moroccan and Spanish sunflower germplasm used for food. Six cultivars from Morocco and six landraces from Spain were evaluated in replicated field trials in Aïn Taoujdate (Morocco) and Córdoba (Spain) in 2009. Seed yield hundred-achene weight hundred-kernel weight achene oil content kernel oil content and fatty acid profile were measured. The results showed that confectionery-type and oilseed-type cultivars did not differ in seed yield hundred-kernel weight and kernel oil content. Since confectionery-type cultivars from Spain performed similarly to local oilseed-type cultivars they could be introduced to diversify the offer of in-shell sunflower seed snack in Morocco. RESUMEN Las semillas de girasol representan una de las principales fuentes de aceite vegetal en el mundo. Asimismo se emplean también para elaboración de productos de panadería y pastelería para consumo directo como aperitivo y para alimentación de mascotas. El germoplasma de girasol empleado para estos fines difiere entre Marruecos y España. Mientras que en Marruecos la semilla de girasol empleada para consumo directo procede principalmente de cultivares de tipo oleaginoso con aquenios negros y baja proporción de cáscara en España se obtiene principalmente de cultivares de pipa blanca con una elevada proporción de cáscara. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el comportamiento y la calidad de la semilla de germoplasma de girasol de Marruecos y España usado con fines no oleaginosos. Se ensayaron en campo en 2009 seis cultivares de Marruecos y seis cultivares de España tanto en Aïn Taoujdate (Marruecos) como en Córdoba (España). Se determino el rendimiento de semilla el peso de 100 aquenios el peso de 100 semillas el contenido en aceite en aquenios y semillas y la composición en ácidos grasos del aceite. No se encontraron diferencias para rendimiento peso de 100 semillas y contenido en aceite en la semillas entre cultivares de pipa blanca y cultivares de tipo oleaginoso. Puesto que los cultivares de pipa blanca de España tuvieron un rendimiento similar a los cultivares locales oleaginosos podría plantearse su introducción para ampliar la oferta de tipos de semilla de girasol vendida para consumo directo en Marruecos. RESUME Les graines de tournesol constituent une des principales sources d’huile végétale dans le monde. Elles sont aussi utilisées pour la confiserie et directement comme graines de bouche ainsi que pour l’alimentation des oiseaux et des animaux. Le germoplasme de tournesol utilisé pour ces fins au Maroc et en Espagne est différent. En Espagne ce sont les cultivars de confiserie caractérisés par des achènes blanches à rayures noires ou grises avec une proportion élevée de coquille qui sont utilisés alors qu’au Maroc on utilise plutôt les cultivars de type oléagineux ayant des achènes noires avec une faible proportion de coquille. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer la performance et la qualité des graines de germoplasme marocain et espagnol utilisé pour des fins non oléagineuses. En 2009 six cultivars de Maroc et six cultivars d’Espagne ont été évalués en essai au champ aussi bien au Maroc (Aïn Taoujdate) qu’en Espagne (Cordoue). Les paramètres mesurés ont été le rendement grain le poids de 100 achènes le poids de 100 graines la teneur en huile des achènes et des graines et la composition d’acides gras de l’huile. Les résultats ont montré qu’il n’y avait pas de différence significative entre les cultivars de confiserie et les cultivars de type oléagineux pour le rendement grain le poids de 100 graines et la teneur en huile des graines. Etant donné que les cultivars de confiserie d’Espagne ont eu un rendement comparable à celui des cultivars oléagineux locaux ils pourraient être introduits au Maroc afin de diversifier l’offre de types de graines dans le marché du tournesol de bouche.

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to classify 138 accessions of Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus L.). The analysis was performed using mineral element concentrations of tubers and leaves for N P Ca Mg K Fe Mn Zn and Cu. Higher classification accuracy was obtained using tuber (92.8%) than leaf (78.3%) mineral concentrations. Elements that contributed most to discrimination were Zn Mg and Cu for tubers and P Mg Zn and Cu for leaves. Accession separation in LDA figures was acceptable. Three distinctive groups that matched accession origins from the USA Montenegro and cultivars were found according to tuber mineral concentrations. Leaf mineral concentrations provided a LDA graph where accessions from Montenegro and cultivars were grouped in two distinctive groups while accessions from the USA overlapped mostly with cultivars and to a certain degree with Montenegrin accessions. The obtained results indicate that LDA of tuber mineral composition can be useful as an additional tool for classification of Jerusalem artichoke accessions according to their origin using data of five elements (Na Zn Mg Cu Fe and K).

DNA polymorphism in accessions of Helianthus mollis Helianthus rigidus and Helianthus tuberosus differing in level of resistance to stem white rot caused by Sclerotinia was evaluated in reactions with two RAPD primers C04 and C15 selected for their potential linkage with resistance to Sclerotinia . In total 36 fragments using both primers were generated. All fragments generated by C04 were polymorphic while 5 fragments out of 11 generated by C15 were monomorphic. Two major clusters were identified on the phenogram generated by UPGMA analysis one comprising plants of H. mollis 1298 and the other where all other accessions were grouped. In order to check and statistically confirm any significant association of specific fragments either with resistance or susceptibility contingency coefficient test was done. Out of 36 fragments generated 26 were significantly associated with resistance/susceptibility. Fragment C04-950 bp was found to be significantly associated to susceptibility as it was generated only in susceptible accessions while fragment C04- 1200 bp was found to be associated with the resistance as it only occurred in H. mollis accessions. The selected markers should be checked and results verified in further studies including higher number of wild sunflower accessions differing in their reaction to stem white rot caused by Sclerotinia.

Four interspecies populations originating from three annual ( H. debilis H. praecox H. deserticola ) and one perennial ( H. resinosus ) wild species were used to produce 13 new ( cms ) inbred lines with cytoplasmic male sterility three Rf restorer lines with good general combining ability used as testers and their F 1 hybrids. A two-year trial with three replicates was set up using the line × tester method. The inbred A-lines Rf -testers and F 1 hybrids differed significantly in the mean values for both studied traits. The mode of inheritance for leaf area was dominance and superdominance of the better parent and for plant height it was superdominance of the better parent. Highly significant positive values of general combining ability for both traits were found in inbred lines NS-G-7 NS-G-8 NS-G-9. The greatest highly significant positive specific combining ability value was found in NS-G-6 × RUS-Rf-OL-168 for the total leaf area per plant and in NS-G-6 × RHA-N-49 for plant height. The non-additive gene effect had greater influence on both traits. A significant heterotic effect was found for both traits in relation to the parental average so as in relation to the better parent.

During the last years in Rostov region of Russian Federation highly virulent biotypes of broomrape have propagated affecting both hybrids of foreign breeding and the native sunflower assortment which used to be resistant earlier. Apart from that the resistance of some known European sunflower types to broomrape races had disappeared which testifies about the presence of the races F G H in the region at least. Consequently the search of the sources of resistance is urgent. 14 samples of annual and 27 of perennial wild sunflower from the collection of Kuban experimental station VIR were tested for resistance to the most virulent broomrape population. From the annual species only H. petiolaris had weak degree of affection (1-3 tubercles/plant) while the other were affected to a high degree. The majority of perennial sunflower samples have shown the immunity. Perennial wild species of the sunflower of the same name that were used earlier in the research of Ruso et al . (1996) as resistant species against the Spanish populations of broomrape show resistance also to high virulent O. cumana which had propagated in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation. The immunity to broomrape of the studied wild perennial sunflower samples is not related to the absence of stimulating effect of root exudations on the seeds of the parasite. The immunity is more likely connected to physiologicalbiochemical features of cortex root cells.