Crop-wild Hybrids Research Articles

The role of domestication and maternal effects on seed traits of crop–wild sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annuus)

AbstractHybridisation between crops and their wild relatives may promote the evolution of weeds. Seed germination and dormancy are the earliest life‐history traits and are highly influenced by the maternal parent. However, the ecological role of the maternal effect on seed traits in the evolution of crop–wild hybrids has received little attention. In this study, we test the relative importance of maternal and hybridisation effects on seed traits of the first generation of crop–wild sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annuus). Seed germination was tested in two wild populations with contrasting dormancy, two cultivated materials and their reciprocal crosses at four different times after harvest and three different temperatures. Seed germination at each of the four times, after ripening response and secondary dormancy were recorded along with four morphological traits. Additionally, the pericarp anatomy was analysed with light and scanning electron microscopy. We observed strong maternal effects on all seed traits. Seed germination, morphology and pericarp anatomy differed largely between the crop and wild seeds and these traits in the crop–wild hybrids resembled their female parent. Slight but significant hybridisation effects were observed in germination, mainly in seeds produced on wild plants. Crop hybridisation changed seed germination, the after ripening response and secondary dormancy in the crop direction. Morphological and anatomical traits associated with domestication strongly correlated with the observed differences in seed germination and dormancy in crop–wild sunflower hybrids. The large maternal effects along with the evolutionary divergence in seed traits were responsible for the large phenotypic differences observed in crop–wild hybrids with the same genetic composition. Wild‐like seed traits of hybrids suggest that there are no barriers to crop gene introgression at the seed level whereas crop‐like seed traits could be strongly selected against, conditioning the selection of traits expressed later in the life cycle and in the next generations.

Persistence of transgenes in wild rice populations depends on the interaction between genetic background of recipients and environmental conditions

AbstractThe persistence of transgenes in wild populations may cause unintended ecological consequences, and the possibility of transgenes' persistence and introgression is dependent on fitness performance of transgenic crop–wild hybrids. To investigate the effects of transgene and genotype × environment on the fitness of crop–wild rice hybrids, a total of 11 cross‐combination progenies between insect‐resistant transgene (CpTI and Bt/CpTI) rice lines and wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) were evaluated at different sites with contrasting insect treatments. The results showed that fitness performance varied between transgenic hybrids having different wild parents and under different environmental conditions, indicating that fitness effects of transgenes on hybrid progenies depend heavily on the genetic background of recipient plants and growing environment. Significant fitness advantages conferred by transgenes were found only in some hybrids under high insect pressure condition, demonstrating that the level of target insects in the field environment influences the persistence and spread of insect‐resistant transgenes in wild rice populations. These findings suggest that evolutionary fate of escaped transgenes is different in wild populations with diverse genetic backgrounds under various environmental conditions.

Model-based calculating tool for pollen-mediated gene flow frequencies in plants.

The potential social-economic and environmental impacts caused by transgene flow from genetically engineered (GE) crops have stimulated worldwide biosafety concerns. To determine transgene flow frequencies resulted from pollination is the first critical step for assessing such impacts, in addition to the determination of transgene expression and fitness in crop-wild hybrid descendants. Two methods are commonly used to estimate pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) frequencies: field experimenting and mathematical modeling. Field experiments can provide relatively accurate results but are time/resource consuming. Modeling offers an effective complement for PMGF experimental assessment. However, many published models describe PMGF by mathematical equations and are practically not easy to use. To increase the application of PMGF modeling for the estimation of transgene flow, we established a tool to calculate PMGF frequencies based on a quasi-mechanistic PMGF model for wind-pollination species. This tool includes a calculating program displayed by an easy-operating interface. PMGF frequencies of different plant species can be quickly calculated under different environmental conditions by including a number of biological and wind speed parameters that can be measured in the fields/laboratories or obtained from published data. The tool is freely available in the public domain (http://ecology.fudan.edu.cn/userfiles/cn/files/Tool_Manual.zip). Case studies including rice, wheat, and maize demonstrated similar results between the calculated frequencies based on this tool and those from published PMGF data. This PMGF calculating tool will provide useful information for assessing and monitoring social-economic and environmental impacts caused by transgene flow from GE crops. This tool can also be applied to determine the isolation distances between GE and non-GE crops in a coexistence agro-ecosystem, and to ensure the purity of certified seeds by setting proper isolation distances among field production plots.

Limited ecological risk of insect-resistance transgene flow from cultivated rice to its wild ancestor based on life-cycle fitness assessment

Ecological impact caused by transgene flow from genetically engineered (GE) crops to their wild relatives is largely determined by the fitness effect brought by a transgene. To estimate such impact is critical for the ecological risk assessment prior to the commercialization of GE crops. We produced F1 and F2 hybrid descendants from crosses of two insect-resistant GE rice lines (Bt, Bt/CpTI) and their non-GE rice parent with a wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) population to estimate the transgenic fitness. Insect damages and life-cycle fitness of GE and non-GE crop–wild hybrid descendants as well as their wild parent were examined in a common-garden experiment. No significant differences in insect damages were observed between the wild rice parent and GE hybrid descendants under high-insect pressure. The wild parent showed significantly greater relative survival-regeneration ratios than its GE and non-GE hybrid descendants under both high- and low-insect pressure. However, more seeds were produced in GE hybrid descendants than their non-GE counterparts under high-insect pressure. Given that the introduction of Bt and Bt/CpTI transgenes did not provide greater insect resistance to crop–wild hybrid descendants than their wild parent, we predict that transgene flow from GE insect-resistant rice to wild rice populations may not cause considerable ecological risks.

Indirect estimates reveal the potential of transgene flow in the crop–wild–weedSorghum bicolorcomplex in its centre of origin, Ethiopia

AbstractA study was carried out between 2008 and 2011 to investigate the potential risks of gene flow and its consequences in the crop–wild–weedS. bicolorcomplex in Ethiopia to aid efforts to conserve genetic diversity. Morphological measurements and genomic DNA samples were takenin situfrom 30 wild and eight cultivated populations representing a total of 760 samples from five regions. Genetic diversity, gene flow, population structure and outcrossing rates of wild populations were computed using phenotypic measurements and/or polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Moreover, morphological analyses of fitness of crop–wild hybrids were studied. High diversity was observed among the wild/weedy sorghum populations for phenotypic traits and SSRs. SSR diversity was high in both wild and cultivated populations, but the magnitude was greater in the former. Gene flow between the wild and the cultivated sorghum was observed to be higher than that within either pool. Wild sorghums exhibited variation in the multilocus outcrossing rate (range = 0.31–0.65) and fitness was not compromised in most wild × crop hybrids. The study indicated that crop-to-wild gene flow is possible in Ethiopia. Thus, genes from transgenic sorghum are expected to enter into the wild and non-transgenic cultivated populations and may spread and persist, if transgenic sorghum is deployed in Ethiopia and in other countries of Africa, which may pose risk of introduction of unwanted effects, which in turn may lead to loss of genetic diversity.

Potential Implications of Climate Change on Aegilops Species Distribution: Sympatry of These Crop Wild Relatives with the Major European Crop Triticum aestivum and Conservation Issues.

Gene flow from crop to wild relatives is a common phenomenon which can lead to reduced adaptation of the wild relatives to natural ecosystems and/or increased adaptation to agrosystems (weediness). With global warming, wild relative distributions will likely change, thus modifying the width and/or location of co-occurrence zones where crop-wild hybridization events could occur (sympatry). This study investigates current and 2050 projected changes in sympatry levels between cultivated wheat and six of the most common Aegilops species in Europe. Projections were generated using MaxEnt on presence-only data, bioclimatic variables, and considering two migration hypotheses and two 2050 climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Overall, a general decline in suitable climatic conditions for Aegilops species outside the European zone and a parallel increase in Europe were predicted. If no migration could occur, the decline was predicted to be more acute outside than within the European zone. The potential sympatry level in Europe by 2050 was predicted to increase at a higher rate than species richness, and most expansions were predicted to occur in three countries, which are currently among the top four wheat producers in Europe: Russia, France and Ukraine. The results are also discussed with regard to conservation issues of these crop wild relatives.

An ecological approach to measuring the evolutionary consequences of gene flow from crops to wild or weedy relatives.

Premise of the study:Agricultural practices routinely create opportunities for crops to hybridize with wild relatives, leading to crop gene introgression into wild genomes. Conservationists typically worry this introgression could lead to genetic homogenization of wild populations, over and above the central concern of transgene escape. Alternatively, viewing introgression as analogous to species invasion, we suggest that increased genetic diversity may likewise be an undesirable outcome.Methods:Here, we compare the sensitivity of conventional population genetic metrics with species diversity indices as indicators of the impact of gene flow on genetic diversity. We illustrate this novel approach using multilocus genotype data (12 allozyme loci) from 10 wild (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima) and eight putative crop–wild hybrid beet populations (B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris × B. vulgaris subsp. maritima) scattered throughout Europe.Results:Conventional population genetic metrics mostly failed to detect shifts in genetic composition of putative hybrid populations. By contrast, species diversity indices unambiguously revealed increased genetic diversity in putative hybrid populations.Discussion:We encourage other workers to explore the utility of our more sensitive approach for risk assessment prior to the release of transgenic crops, with a view toward widespread adoption of our method in studies aimed at detecting allelic invasion.

Contemporary evolution and the dynamics of invasion in crop–wild hybrids with heritable variation for two weedy life–histories

Gene flow in crop–wild complexes between phenotypically differentiated ancestors may transfer adaptive genetic variation that alters the fecundity and, potentially, the population growth (λ) of weeds. We created biotypes with potentially invasive traits, early flowering or long leaves, in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and F5 crop–wild hybrid (R. sativus × R. raphanistrum) backgrounds and compared them to randomly mated populations, to provide the first experimental estimate of long‐term fitness consequences of weedy life‐history variation. Using a life table response experiment design, we modeled λ of experimental, field populations in Pellston, MI, and assessed the relative success of alternative weed strategies and the contributions of individual vital rates (germination, survival, seed production) to differences in λ among experimental populations. Growth rates (λ) were most influenced by seed production, a trait altered by hybridization and selection, compared to other vital rates. More seeds were produced by wild than hybrid populations and by long‐leafed than early‐flowering lineages. Although we did not detect a biotype by selection treatment effect on lambda, lineages also exhibited contrasting germination and survival strategies. Identifying life‐history traits affecting population growth contributes to our understanding of which portions of the crop genome are most likely to introgress into weed populations.

Can achene selection in sunflower crop–wild hybrids by pre-dispersal seed predators hasten the return to phenotypically wild sunflowers?

Bird attack is a serious limitation to sunflower yield in several regions of the world, but it could also cause selection. The wild Helianthus annuus, naturalized in several regions of the world, hybridizes with the crop and produces crop–wild offspring. It is unknown how the selective force of seed predation by birds could drive evolution after a hybridization event. After two generations of natural selection exerted by birds (mostly by Eared Dove and Monk Parakeets), achene and plant traits of the crop–wild hybrid progeny were compared with the same hybrid progeny without any selection by birds. After two generations of bird selection the achene width, thickness and weight decreased by an average of 18.5, 26.7 and 49.2 %, respectively. Also in response to bird selection there was a correlated increase in the plant height, stem diameter, number of heads and a reduction in head diameter and the number of achenes per head. The phenotype of crop–wild plants selected by birds resembles wild plants, whereas the plants without any selection were intermediate between the parents. These results indicate that selection exerted by birds could result in the rapid evolution of crop–wild sunflower populations.

Life history traits and phenotypic selection among sunflower crop-wild hybrids and their wild counterpart: implications for crop allele introgression.

Hybridization produces strong evolutionary forces. In hybrid zones, selection can differentially occur on traits and selection intensities may differ among hybrid generations. Understanding these dynamics in crop–wild hybrid zones can clarify crop-like traits likely to introgress into wild populations and the particular hybrid generations through which introgression proceeds. In a field experiment with four crop–wild hybrid Helianthus annuus (sunflower) cross types, we measured growth and life history traits and performed phenotypic selection analysis on early season traits to ascertain the likelihood, and routes, of crop allele introgression into wild sunflower populations. All cross types overwintered, emerged in the spring, and survived until flowering, indicating no early life history barriers to crop allele introgression. While selection indirectly favored earlier seedling emergence and taller early season seedlings, direct selection only favored greater early season leaf length. Further, there was cross type variation in the intensity of selection operating on leaf length. Thus, introgression of multiple early season crop-like traits, due to direct selection for greater early season leaf length, should not be impeded by any cross type and may proceed at different rates among generations. In sum, alleles underlying early season sunflower crop-like traits are likely to introgress into wild sunflower populations.

Seed fates in crop-wild hybrid sunflower: crop allele and maternal effects.

Domestication has resulted in selection upon seed traits found in wild populations, yet crop-wild hybrids retain some aspects of both parental phenotypes. Seed fates of germination, dormancy, and mortality can influence the success of crop allele introgression in crop-wild hybrid zones, especially if crop alleles or crop-imparted seed coverings result in out-of-season germination. We performed a seed burial experiment using crop, wild, and diverse hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cross types to test how a cross type's maternal parent and nuclear genetic composition might affect its fate under field conditions. We observed higher maladaptive fall germination in the crop- and F1- produced seeds than wild-produced seeds and, due to an interaction with percent crop alleles, fall germination was higher for cross types with more crop-like nuclear genetics. By spring, crop-produced cross types had the highest overwintering mortality, primarily due to higher fall germination. Early spring germination was identical across maternal types, but germination continued for F1-produced seeds. In conclusion, the more wild-like the maternal parent or the less proportion of the cross type's genome contributed by the crop, the greater likelihood a seed will remain ungerminated than die. Wild-like dormancy may facilitate introgression through future recruitment from the soil seed bank.

Context-specific enhanced invasiveness of Raphanus crop–wild hybrids: A test for associations between greater fecundity and population growth

Campbell, L. G., Teitel, Z., Miriti, M. N. and Snow, A. A. 2014. Context-specific enhanced invasiveness of Raphanus crop–wild hybrids: A test for associations between greater fecundity and population growth. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1315–1324. Evolution by crop–wild hybridization may create plant lineages with greater population growth rates, dispersal, and persistence than weedy progenitors, depending upon plant density. We asked: (1) how does hybridization affect demography and population growth rate (lambda, λ) and (2) how does density affect demography and λ? Over 1 yr, we followed wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum and crop-wild hybrid, Raphanus sativus×R. raphanistrum, plants grown in 18 experimental sub-populations (originally derived from three wild and three hybrid populations) to assess contributions of germination, survival, and seed production to λ. We explored genotypic differences in demographic characteristics of low- and high-density populations (from populations grown at unmanipulated densities for three generations), using a LTRE. Hybrid populations had greater λs than weedy progenitors when grown in low (but not high) densities. Seed production was more influential on λ than germination or survival, and seed mortality was least influential. Our results indicate weedy Raphanus populations may be best controlled by limiting seed production, rather than killing plants outright or preventing seeds from germinating. Furthermore, relative invasiveness of genotypes is density-dependent, low-density conditions improving potential invasiveness of hybrid populations. We emphasize that assessing invasive potential of a plant will be more successful if one uses a comprehensive demographic approach accounting for a weed's entire life history.

Fitness of crop-wild hybrid sunflower under competitive conditions: implications for crop-to-wild introgression.

Understanding the likelihood and extent of introgression of novel alleles in hybrid zones requires comparison of lifetime fitness of parents and hybrid progeny. However, fitness differences among cross types can vary depending on biotic conditions, thereby influencing introgression patterns. Based on past work, we predicted that increased competition would enhance introgression between cultivated and wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus) by reducing fitness advantages of wild plants. To test this prediction, we established a factorial field experiment in Kansas, USA where we monitored the fitness of four cross types (Wild, F1, F2, and BCw hybrids) under different levels of interspecific and intraspecific competition. Intraspecific manipulations consisted both of density of competitors and of frequency of crop-wild hybrids. We recorded emergence of overwintered seeds, survival to reproduction, and numbers of seeds produced per reproductive plant. We also calculated two compound fitness measures: seeds produced per emerged seedling and seeds produced per planted seed. Cross type and intraspecific competition affected emergence and survival to reproduction, respectively. Further, cross type interacted with competitive treatments to influence all other fitness traits. More intense competition treatments, especially related to density of intraspecific competitors, repeatedly reduced the fitness advantage of wild plants when considering seeds produced per reproductive plant and per emerged seedling, and F2 plants often became indistinguishable from the wilds. Wild fitness remained superior when seedling emergence was also considered as part of fitness, but the fitness of F2 hybrids relative to wild plants more than quadrupled with the addition of interspecific competitors and high densities of intraspecific competitors. Meanwhile, contrary to prediction, lower hybrid frequency reduced wild fitness advantage. These results emphasize the importance of taking a full life cycle perspective. Additionally, due to effects of exogenous selection, a given hybrid generation may be especially well-suited to hastening introgression under particular environmental conditions.

Selection on Crop-Derived Traits and QTL in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Crop-Wild Hybrids under Water Stress

Locally relevant conditions, such as water stress in irrigated agricultural regions, should be considered when assessing the risk of crop allele introgression into wild populations following hybridization. Although research in cultivars has suggested that domestication traits may reduce fecundity under water stress as compared to wild-like phenotypes, this has not been investigated in crop-wild hybrids. In this study, we examine phenotypic selection acting on, as well as the genetic architecture of vegetative, reproductive, and physiological characteristics in an experimental population of sunflower crop-wild hybrids grown under wild-like low water conditions. Crop-derived petiole length and head diameter were favored in low and control water environments. The direction of selection differed between environments for leaf size and leaf pressure potential. Interestingly, the additive effect of the crop-derived allele was in the direction favored by selection for approximately half the QTL detected in the low water environment. Selection favoring crop-derived traits and alleles in the low water environment suggests that a subset of these alleles would be likely to spread into wild populations under water stress. Furthermore, differences in selection between environments support the view that risk assessments should be conducted under multiple locally relevant conditions.

Roles of maternal effects and nuclear genetic composition change across the life cycle of crop-wild hybrids.

• Premise of the study: The fitness of an offspring may depend on its nuclear genetic composition (via both parental genotypes) as well as on genetic maternal effects (via only the maternal parent). Understanding the relative importance of these two genetic factors is particularly important for research on crop-wild hybridization, since traits with important genetic maternal effects (e.g., seed size) often differ among crops and their relatives. We hypothesized that the effects of these genetic factors on fitness components would change across the life cycle of hybrids.• Methods: We followed seed, plant size, and reproductive traits in field experiments with wild and four crop-wild hybrids of sunflower (Helianthus annuus), which differed in nuclear genetic composition and maternal parent (wild or F1 hybrid).• Key results: We identified strong genetic maternal effects for early life cycle characteristics, with seeds produced on an F1 mother having premature germination, negligible seed dormancy, and greater seedling size. Increased percentages of crop alleles also increased premature germination and reduced dormancy in seeds produced on a wild mother. For mature plants, nuclear genetic composition dominated: greater percentages of crop alleles reduced height, branching, and fecundity.• Conclusions: Particular backcrosses between hybrids and wilds may differentially facilitate movement of crop alleles into wild populations due to their specific features. For example, backcross seeds produced on wild mothers can persist in the seed bank, illustrating the importance of genetic maternal effects, whereas backcross individuals with either wild or F1 mothers have high fecundity, resulting from their wild-like nuclear genetic composition.

Litterbag decomposition of residues from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice hybrids and the parental lines under multiple field conditions

Purpose The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops has raised environmental concerns, since large amounts of plant materials remain in the field after harvesting. Specific proteins of GM crops might negatively impact soil ecosystem by changing residue decomposition dynamics. Particularly, the residue decomposition of crop-wild hybrids, which were formed through transgene escape to wild population, remains unexplored.

A mixed-model QTL analysis for salt tolerance in seedlings of crop-wild hybrids of lettuce

Cultivated lettuce is more sensitive to salinity stress than its wild progenitor species potentially due to differences in root architecture and/or differential uptake and accumulation of sodium. We have identified quantitative trait locis (QTLs) associated with salt-induced changes in root system architecture (RSA) and ion accumulation using a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Salinas’) and wild lettuce (L. serriola). Components of RSA were quantified by replicated measurements of seedling growth on vertical agar plates containing different concentrations of NaCl in a controlled growth chamber environment. Accumulation of sodium and potassium ions was measured in replicates of greenhouse-grown plants watered with 100 mM NaCl water. A total of 14 QTLs were identified using multi-trait linkage analysis, including three major QTLs associated with general root development, root growth in salt stress condition, and ion accumulation. The three major QTLs, qRC9.1, qRS2.1, and qLS7.2, were linked with markers E35/M59-F-425, LE9050, and LE1053, respectively. This study provides regions of lettuce genome contributing to salt-induced changes in RSA and ion accumulation. Future fine-mapping of major QTLs will identify candidate genes underlying salt stress tolerance in cultivated lettuce.

Abiotic stress QTL in lettuce crop-wild hybrids: comparing greenhouse and field experiments.

The development of stress-tolerant crops is an increasingly important goal of current crop breeding. A higher abiotic stress tolerance could increase the probability of introgression of genes from crops to wild relatives. This is particularly relevant to the discussion on the risks of new GM crops that may be engineered to increase abiotic stress resistance. We investigated abiotic stress QTL in greenhouse and field experiments in which we subjected recombinant inbred lines from a cross between cultivated Lactuca sativa cv. Salinas and its wild relative L. serriola to drought, low nutrients, salt stress, and aboveground competition. Aboveground biomass at the end of the rosette stage was used as a proxy for the performance of plants under a particular stress. We detected a mosaic of abiotic stress QTL over the entire genome with little overlap between QTL from different stresses. The two QTL clusters that were identified reflected general growth rather than specific stress responses and colocated with clusters found in earlier studies for leaf shape and flowering time. Genetic correlations across treatments were often higher among different stress treatments within the same experiment (greenhouse or field), than among the same type of stress applied in different experiments. Moreover, the effects of the field stress treatments were more correlated with those of the greenhouse competition treatments than to those of the other greenhouse stress experiments, suggesting that competition rather than abiotic stress is a major factor in the field. In conclusion, the introgression risk of stress tolerance (trans-)genes under field conditions cannot easily be predicted based on genomic background selection patterns from controlled QTL experiments in greenhouses, especially field data will be needed to assess potential (negative) ecological effects of introgression of these transgenes into wild relatives.

A stochastic cellular model with uncertainty analysis to assess the risk of transgene invasion after crop-wild hybridization: Oilseed rape and wild radish as a case study

Crop-to-wild transgene flow is a critical aspect of the environmental risks associated to the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops because the integration of an advantageous transgene could make the recipient population of wild species become invasive. This risk relies on three successive steps: (1) the initial GM crop-wild hybridization event, (2) the transmission of the transgene in the successive (backcross) hybrids generations and (3) the spread of the GM hybrid plants via pollen and seed dispersal. Using simulation models is necessary to account for the probabilities associated to all these events in order to make quantitative predictions of the risk of invasion by GM hybrids. We develop a simulation model to predict the fate of an advantageous transgene in a population of a wild relative species, following hybridization with a GM crop. We first present the generic model structure, with its three main components: stage-structure (developmental stages and hybrid classes), spatial realism, and stochasticity (demographic, genetic and dispersal). We show how a preliminary elasticity analysis can be performed to guide the parameterization of an uncertainty analysis by focusing on the most influencing parameters. We then use herbicide tolerant GM oilseed rape and its wild relative wild radish as an application of the simulation model. Despite the large uncertainty on some input parameters, simulations showed that invasion by the transgene was quasi-impossible within decaying wild radish populations whereas it was quasi-certain within viable populations. More generally, the modeling framework developed here provides a generic structure that can be applied to other wild and crop species. Our study underlined that uncertainty analyses are crucial in risk assessment because they permit to translate parameter uncertainty into uncertainty of model predictions.

Maternal effects and embryo genetics: germination and dormancy of crop–wild sunflower hybrids

AbstractGene flow between agricultural crops and related wild plant populations can produce hybrids which differ significantly from their wild counterparts in many life history traits, including seed traits. Seeds from wild annuals often possess significant dormancy, while cultivated varieties have been selected to germinate immediately under favourable conditions. Consequently, the dormancy characteristics of crop–wild hybrids could influence their survival, seed-bank dynamics and, ultimately, the extent to which crop genes persist in wild populations. Dormancy characteristics can be influenced by both maternal effects, as well as the genetics of a seed's embryo, which are the result of contributions from both parents. Here we focus on how maternal effects and embryo genetics affect seed dormancy in crop–wild hybrid sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). Using three laboratory experiments, we quantified the germination and dormancy of 15 crop–wild hybrid sunflower cross types, while also identifying achene characteristics that may influence the differential germination observed. We found that increased frequencies of crop alleles and the maternal effects imparted by hybridization can reduce dormancy, though the effect of increased frequencies of crop alleles was more pronounced in wild- and F1-produced than in the crop-produced achenes. The more open pericarp of the crop-produced achenes and the shorter relative distance that their radicles had to travel to germinate may explain some of the observed maternal effects. Finally, we generated hypotheses about how these results could affect survival and crop gene introgression in the field.