Breeding Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Assisted With Speed Breeding Drough Tolerance Tests

Abstract

Sunflower production in the world is expending towards marginal areas, along with rapid changes in cultural practises like no-till planting and weed management. The frequency and severity of abiotic constraints also rise as a result of climate change. Helianthus annuus is well-known for its adaptability to a wide range of agronomic conditions, by its robust root system that is capable of absobing water from deeper soils. However, water stress lowers grain yields and fatty acid content with complex phenotypic, physiological and biochemical signs. In this study which was carried out to develop parental lines tolerant or high-tolerant to drought, physiological screenings were carried out on 8 sunflower genotypes. Genotypes were planted in pots in a greenhouse and grown at three different irrigation levels (I100, I66 and I33). The genotypes were watered together until they reached the 6-8 leaf stage. Then, each genotype was managed and irrigated solely. Number of days between sowing and floweing days, number of days between sowing and number of days between sowing and number of days to transfer the embryo to the nutrient medium, plant height, head diameter, number of seeds in the head was between 52-67 days; 65-80 days; 50-200 cm; 3.0-13.0 cm; 25-500 pieces, respectively. Plant weight, plant high, root length, number of leaf, nnmber of days from transplant to glasshouse, number of days from transplant to field was between 0.22-0.45 g; 2.09-4.62 cm; 1.70-5.27 cm; 3.60-5.87 pieces; 5 or 6 days; 10-12 days, respectively. In the experiments, it was found that two and a half generations could be achieved in one year. The genotypes K26-33 and K78-100 are located closest to the center as the most ideal genotypes in terms of the examined characteristics. In the MS environment, in terms of the characteristics examined, the genotypes K105-100, K78-100, K105-66, K26-100 and K1-100 were the preferred genotypes as they are located close to the center.