Research article    |    Open Access
Helia 2025, Vol. 48(83) 74-83

Interspecific Crosses Between Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and the Perennial Species Helianthus mollis (GT M-020) Applying Embryo Culture

Nina Nenova, Daniela Valkova

pp. 74 - 83   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/helia.2025.1411.1

Publish Date: December 31, 2025  |   Single/Total View: 0/0   |   Single/Total Download: 0/0


Abstract

The objective of this research was to carry out a comparative study of classical breeding methods and embryo-rescue technique for the production of interspecific F1 hybrids between wild perennial Helianthus mollis, accession GT М-020, and cultivated sunflower, as well as to analyze the contribution of applying embryo-rescue techniques for overcoming the environmental changes. Interspecific hybridization was done between the cultivated sunflower Helianthus annuus L. and the perennial species Helianthus mollis, accession GT М-020. The embryo cultivation method was used for the successful performance of the crosses. Crosses were realized between this species and the male sterile line HA 300. Morphological, phytopathological, and biochemical studies were carried out. As a result of self-pollination and selection, hybrid materials in both F1 and F2 were obtained, and in advanced generations as well. Some of the progenies possessed higher seed oil content. Their resistance to economically important diseases (downy mildew, phoma, and phomopsis) and parasite broomrape was presented. The conclusion of the research indicates that the selected hybrid materials differed significantly. Some of the hybrid progenies demonstrated resistance to downy mildew, phoma, and phomopsis. Applying this method leads to enrichment of the gene pool of cultivated sunflower with diverse and useful traits, originating from wild sunflower species.

Keywords: Helianthus annuus, Helianthus mollis, disease resistance, embryo culture, interspecific hybridization


How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Nenova, N., & Valkova, D. (2025). Interspecific Crosses Between Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and the Perennial Species Helianthus mollis (GT M-020) Applying Embryo Culture. Helia, 48(83), 74-83. https://doi.org/10.29329/helia.2025.1411.1

Harvard
Nenova, N. and Valkova, D. (2025). Interspecific Crosses Between Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and the Perennial Species Helianthus mollis (GT M-020) Applying Embryo Culture. Helia, 48(83), pp. 74-83.

Chicago 16th edition
Nenova, Nina and Daniela Valkova (2025). "Interspecific Crosses Between Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and the Perennial Species Helianthus mollis (GT M-020) Applying Embryo Culture". Helia 48 (83):74-83. https://doi.org/10.29329/helia.2025.1411.1

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