Germplasm resources for increasing the genetic diversity of global cultivated sunflower

Abstract

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.