Transferring Plasmopara halstedii resistance from annual wild into cultivated sunflower

Abstract

Twenty-nine populations of five wild annual sunflower species (H.annuus, H. petiolaris, H. argophyllus, H. praecox, H. debilis and H. neglectus) were screened for resistance to Plasmopara halstedii by the whole seed immersion method. Resistant populations were then crossed with cultivated sunflower. Analysis of meiosis and pollen viability in parent and F1 populations was used for characterization of F1 interspecific hybrids, as self-fertilization can also occur.