Helianthus Annuus Research Articles

An Excessive K/Na Ratio in Soil Solutions Impairs the Seedling Establishment of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) through Reducing the Leaf Mg Concentration and Photosynthesis

In saline conditions, establishing healthy seedlings is crucial for the productivity of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.). Excessive potassium (K+) from irrigation water or overfertilization, similar to sodium (Na+), could adversely affect sunflower growth. However, the effects of salt stress caused by varying K/Na ratios on the establishment of sunflower seedlings have not been widely studied. We conducted a pot experiment in a greenhouse, altering the K/Na ratio of a soil solution to grow sunflower seedlings. We tested three saline solutions with K/Na ratios of 0:1 (P0S1), 1:1 (P1S1), and 1:0 (P1S0) at a constant concentration of 4 dS m−1, along with a control (CK, no salt added), with five replicates. The solutions were applied to the pots via capillary rise through small holes at the bottom. The results indicate that different K/Na ratios significantly influenced ion-selective uptake and transport in crop organs. With an increasing K/Na ratio, the K+ concentration in the roots, stems, and leaves increased, while the Na+ concentration decreased in the roots and stems, with no significant differences in the leaves. Furthermore, an excessive K/Na ratio (P1S0) suppressed the absorption and transportation of Mg2+, significantly reducing the Mg2+ concentration in the stems and leaves. A lower leaf Mg2+ concentration reduced chlorophyll concentration, impairing photosynthetic performance. The lowest plant height, leaf area, dry matter, and shoot/root ratio were observed in P1S0, with reductions of 27%, 48%, 48%, and 13% compared to CK, respectively. Compared with CK, light use efficiency and CO2 use efficiency in P1S0 were significantly reduced by 13% and 10%, respectively, while water use efficiency was significantly increased by 9%. Additionally, improved crop morphological and photosynthetic performance was observed in P1S1 and P0S1 compared with P1S0. These findings underscore the critical role of optimizing ion composition in soil solutions, especially during the sensitive seedling stage, to enhance photosynthesis and ultimately to improve the plant’s establishment. We recommend that agricultural practices in saline regions incorporate tailored irrigation and fertilization strategies that prioritize optimal K/Na ratios to maximize crop performance and sustainability.

Tetrabromobisphenol A biotransformation in aged soil: Mechanism analysis induced by root exudates during rhizoremediation of Helianthus annus

Rhizoremediation, recognized as a progressive strategy for the removal of organic pollutants in soil, prominently focused on the influence of root exudates-induced alterations within the rhizosphere on the bioavailability and transformation of pollutants. However, the influence of root exudates on the ultimate fate of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in soil remains unclear. The current study embarked on a comprehensive examination of the biotransformation process and underlying mechanisms of TBBPA driven by root exudates of Helianthus annus in rhizospheric soil. The pot experiment underscored the constructive impact of root exudates on enhancing the TBBPA dissipation efficiency within lab-controlled, with the increments of 18.77 %∼38.64 %. The core bacterial players responsible for TBBPA biotransformation were identified, with the prominent genus being Saccharibacteria_genera_incertae_sedis, unclassified_Sphingomonadaceae, and Parcubacteria_genera_incertae_sedis. In rhizospheric soil, a comprehensive analysis disclosed the presence of 20 different biotransformation products of TBBPA. Notably, root exudates were found to predominantly drive the reductive debromination pathway. This study provided for the first concrete evidence that root exudates can promote the desorption of TBBPA from soils. The current study aimed to decipher the molecular mechanisms in biotransformation process of TBBPA mediated by root exudates, and also provided reference for the environmental behavior of organic pollutants induced by root exudates.

Milk Production, Milk Composition, Milk Fatty Acid Profile and Nutrient Digestibility of Mehsana Goats Fed Sunflower (Helianthus annus) Oil

A study was conducted during the month of December, 2020 to January, 2021 at Livestock Research Station, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat (385506), India to evaluate the effect of dietary sunflower oil supplementation on milk yield, milk fatty acid profile and nutrient digestibility of Mehsana goats. Eighteen lactating Mehsana goats were randomly divided into three treatment groups, viz. Basal diet (control), Basal diet+25 g animal-1 day-1 of sunflower oil and Basal diet+50 g animal-1 day-1 of sunflower oil for a period of 60 days. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found in milk yield in terms of kg d-1, 4% fat corrected milk and energy corrected milk among the treatment groups. The milk constituents and their yields were not affected due to dietary inclusion of sunflower oil. Sunflower oil feeding at the dose of 50 g d-1 increased (p<0.05) concentration of milk short chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk of goats. The intake and digestibility of nitrogen free extract was increased in sunflower oil supplemented groups. The intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre were similar (p>0.05) among the treatment groups. it may be concluded that supplementation of sunflower oil at the dose rate of 25 and 50 g d-1 did not affect feed intake, milk yield, milk constituents and nutrient digestibility in lactating Mehsana goats. However, dietary 50 g d-1 of sunflower oil significantly increased concentration of milk short chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in goats.

Ferric oxide nano-priming enhances photosynthetic and physicochemical properties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) microgreens

Ferric oxide nano-priming enhances photosynthetic and physicochemical properties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) microgreens

Heterotic response of hybrids for yield and its contributing characters in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heterotic response of hybrids for yield and its contributing characters in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Assessing the impact of gamma rays and EMS mutagens in M1 generation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus. L) on germination, plant survival

Assessing the impact of gamma rays and EMS mutagens in M1 generation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus. L) on germination, plant survival

Improving Sunflower Yield through Liming and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application in the South-Central Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Along with salinity, low soil pH is the major constraint for growing winter crops in the south central coastal region of Bangladesh. Extensive research has been done to manage soil salinity, where managing low soil pH for crop production is scarce. The aim of the experiment was to improve sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Hybrid Unisun) yield through liming and phosphorus fertilizer application in the acidic saline soil of Amtali upazila of Barguna district, Bangladesh. During the winter season of 2024 a field experiment was carried out comprising two rates of lime 0 and 2 t ha-1 and four levels of phosphorus (P) having 0, 12, 24 and 36 kg P ha-1 using RCBD design. Lime application at 2 t ha-1 rate significantly increased stem girth, head diameter, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight, and seed, stover and root yields of sunflower. The application of P up to the highest level (36 kg P ha-1) significantly increased the growth and yield of sunflower. Lime application increased the soil pH by 0.72 unit compared to non-liming plot. The application of lime (2 t ha-1) along with 36 kg P ha-1 recorded the highest sunflower seed yield of 3.21 t ha-1 in the soil of Amtali upazila of Barguna district, Bangladesh. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) of different rates of P application without liming ranged from 5.28-10.09 but it decreased drastically while P was applied with lime having the BCR between 0.15-1.82. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(3):352-359, 2024

Dissecting the genetic architecture of sunflower disc diameter using genome-wide association study.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plays an essential role in meeting the demand for edible oil worldwide. The yield of sunflower seeds encompasses several component traits, including the disc diameter. Over three consecutive years, 2019, 2020, and 2022, we assessed phenotypic variation in disc diameter across a diverse set of sunflower accessions (N = 342) in replicated field trials. Upon aggregating the phenotypic data from multiple years, we estimated the broad sense heritability (H 2) of the disc diameter trait to be 0.88. A subset of N = 274 accessions was genotyped by using the tunable genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS) method, resulting in 226,779 high-quality SNPs. Using these SNPs and the disc diameter phenotype, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) employing two statistical approaches: the mixed linear model (MLM) and the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (farmCPU). The MLM and farmCPU GWAS approaches identified 106 and 8 significant SNPs located close to 53 and 21 genes, respectively. The MLM analysis identified two significant peaks: a prominent signal on chromosome 10 and a relatively weaker signal on chromosome 16, both of which were also detected by farmCPU. The genetic loci associated with disc diameter, as well as the related candidate genes, present promising avenues for further functional validation and serve as a basis for sunflower oil yield improvement.

Products of allelopathic plants for organic weed management: Environmentally approach

Allelopathic substances from different crops may have synergistic effects and can be applied in the mixture. In the previous research, several crop plants have been identified as phytotoxic against various weeds like sorghum, brassica, and sunflower. However, the effect of their tank mixture with each other was never studied in cotton before. Furthermore, it was not sure before this study whether the allele chemicals present in these crops viz. sorghum, sunflower and brassica can have synergistic or additive effects when applied in combination. Herbicides account for 42% of global pesticides’ use. Therefore, recent emphases have been on biological weed control measures so as to reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides and finding alternative strategies for weed control in agro ecosystems. Allelopathy is one of such strategies that can be explored for biological weed control of cropping systems. The mimosine that occurs in Leucaena has the potential to be used as a bio-herbicide in weed management. Mimosine is the main allelochemicals in Leucaena and is responsible for the strong allelopathic activity of the plant. The allelopathic effects of L. leucocephala towards several agricultural crops and forest trees have been reported. Plant seedlings of various crops possess allelopathic potential or weed-suppressing activity, including cucumber (Cucumber sativa L.), oat (Avena spp.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The main barley allelochemicals are the alkaloids gramine and hordenine which play a significant role in barley allelopathic potential and its defense against weeds, insects, or pathogens. In particular, barley allelopathic extracts have the ability to reduce emergence and growth of serious weeds like winter wild oat (Avena sterilis L.), hood canary grass (Phalaris paradoxa L.), black grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), great brome (Bromus diandrus Roth.), and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). This growth reduction has been mainly attributed to lipid peroxidation. Tamarindus contains allelochemicals on roots, leaves, seeds and bark , however, its allelopathic potential has not yet been compared to that of other allelopathic species such as Parthenium. Citharexylum (Citharexylum spinosum L) is equally a tree, a tropical plant with numerous usages but also know to have some allelopathic potential. Flower extracts have proved to be extremely potent to lettuce seed germination and seedlings growth and are very little known regarding its leaves phytotoxity. Consequently, the current experiment will provide additional information regarding Citharexylum leave allelopathic potential. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). In Asteraceae members including sunflower, the main allelochemicals are sesquiterpenes, especially heliannuoles, sesquiterpene lactones and bisnorse squiterpenes, in addition to triterpenes and flavonoids Its allelopathic effects have been tested on both other crops and weeds, in field conditions and in vitro bioassays. In recent years, the allelopathic potential of Cynara cardunculus L., an herbaceous perennial species belonging to the Mediterranean basin, was assessed on seed germination and seedling growth of some weeds and target crops. Allelochemicals responsible for C. cardunculus allelopathy are the sesquiterpene lactones cynaropicrin, deacylcynaropicrin, 11, 13-dihydro-deacylcynaropicrin, aguerin B, grosheimin, 11,13-dihydroxy-8-deoxygrosheimin and cy-naratriol, as well as polyphenols such as caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acids, luteolin and apigenin derivatives. Around 800 species of plants produce biologically active substances, but only a few of them are used in agricultural practice. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in interest in allelopathy due to the effective use of allelochemicals in plant protection, such as bioherbicides, bio insecticides, biofungicides and growth regulators.

Role of Gypsum Stone to improve some physical and Hydrological Properties of heavy soil and yield of Sunflower Helianthus annuus L.

Role of Gypsum Stone to improve some physical and Hydrological Properties of heavy soil and yield of Sunflower Helianthus annuus L.

Efficacy of bee pollen and beebread against Salmonella typhimurium in BALB/c mice

The present work evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of bee pollen and beebread against the toxic changes induced by Salmonella typhimurium in BALB/c mice. The experiment was divided into six groups as; Gp1 was normal, Gp2 was infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at 2×104 CFU, Gp3 and Gp5 were administrated with bee pollen and beebread of Helianthus annus crop alone at 250mg kg-1 bw respectively; Gp4 and Gp6 were with S. typhimurium and bee pollen and beebread H. annus at 250mg kg-1 bw respectively. Different hematological and oxidative stress parameters were assessed in animals. It has been observed that Gp2 showed alteration in the level of all tested parameters as compared to the Gp1, which indicated the toxicity induced by bacteria, but after the treatment with bee pollen and beebread as in Gp4 and 6, their level ameliorated to near normal, which showed the effectiveness of the tested bee products against bacteria.

Optimizing Oxalic Acid Application Regime to Maximize Sunflower Remediation Efficacy in Cd-Contaminated Soils

The exogenous application of oxalic acid is a potential approach to amplifying phytoremediation performance on Cd-contaminated soils. However, few studies explore the optimal oxalic acid application regime from a perspective of coupling different concentrations and timings to maximize Cd removal rate. Given this, a pot experiment was conducted using oil sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as the test plant. Oxalic acid was added to the pots at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mmol/kg at 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after emergence. A control (CK) without exogenous oxalic acid was also included. We examined the discrepancies in various soil Cd forms, sunflower height, plant non-protein thiol (NPT) levels, and soil Cd remediation efficiency under different oxalic acid application regimes. The results showed that applying oxalic acid at a concentration of 4 mmol/kg reduced the proportion of Fe-Mn oxide Cd and organic Cd compared to the control (CK), while increased the proportion of available Cd. The optimal application time is 30 or 40 days after emergence. The addition of exogenous oxalic acid promoted the growth of sunflowers, with the greatest increase in plant height observed when 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid was applied at 30 days after emergence. Exogenous oxalic acid enhanced the absorption of Cd by sunflower roots, with the total Cd accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves being higher than in the control (CK). When 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid was applied at 30 days after emergence, the total Cd accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves was highest. Under different application times and concentration levels of oxalic acid, Cd accumulation was highest in roots, followed by leaves, with stems showing the lowest accumulation. The NPT content in each part is as follows: root > stem > leaf. Applying 5 mmol/kg oxalic acid after 30 days of sunflower emergence resulted in relatively higher total NPT content in roots, stems, and leaves compared to the control (CK). The TOPSIS model was used for comprehensive evaluation, which showed that 4 mmol/kg oxalic acid application at 30 days after emergence could be used as the optimal oxalic acid application regime for phytoremediation. These findings indicate that the addition of oxalic acid effectively promoted the absorption of Cd by sunflower and increased the efficiency of Cd removal from the rhizosphere soil, with the optimal removal of soil Cd achieved by applying oxalic acid at a concentration of 4 mmol/kg 30 days after the emergence of oilseed sunflower seedlings.

Combined Effects of Heavy Metal and Simulated Herbivory on Leaf Trichome Density in Sunflowers

Trichomes play a key role in both heavy metal tolerance and herbivory defense, and both stressors have been shown to induce increased trichome density. However, the combined effect of these stressors on trichome density in general, and specifically on metal-hyperaccumulating plants, has yet to be examined. The aim of this study was to test the effect of cadmium availability and herbivory on leaf trichome density and herbivore deterrence in the metal hyperaccumulator Helianthus annuus. To test this, H. Annuus plants were grown in control pots or pots inoculated with 10 mg/kg cadmium and were subjected to either no herbivory or simulated herbivory using mechanical damage and foliar jasmonic acid application. Herbivore deterrence was tested in a feeding assay using Spodoptera littoralis caterpillars. Interestingly, while the trichome density of H. annuus increased by 79% or 53.5% under high cadmium availability or simulated herbivory, respectively, it decreased by 26% when the stressors were combined. Furthermore, regardless of cadmium availability, simulated herbivory induced a 40% increase in deterrence of S. littoralis. These findings suggest that the combination of metal availability and herbivory might present excessive stress to hyperaccumulators. Moreover, they suggest that the risk of metal bioaccumulation in phytoremediation can be reduced by simulated herbivory.

Boosting resilience and yields in water-stressed sunflower through coordinated irrigation scheduling and silica gel applications

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a globally significant oilseed crop, yet its yields may suffer due to water deficiency. A field experiment was conducted through two summer seasons (2021 and 2022) at the agricultural research station, Luxor, Egypt, to study the effects of irrigation regime, cultivar selection, and silica gel application on sunflower growth and yield parameters. The experiment utilized a split-split plot design with three irrigation levels based on field capacity (85 %, 70 %, 55 %), three sunflower cultivars (Sakha-53, Giza-102, and Giza-120), and two Silica gel treatments (0 and 300 kg/ha). Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of irrigation (P < 0.001) on all measured traits except 100-seed weight. Utilizing various cultivars also revealed substantial influence, affecting most traits consistently across the two seasons. Silica gel application positively impacted head diameter, 100-seed weight, oil content, and oil yield (P < 0.05). Furthermore, treatments combining moderate irrigation with silica gel application exhibited the highest water productivity, with values reaching 1.35 kg/m³ in the first season and 1.38 kg/m³ in the second season, indicating the synergistic effects of improved water management and silica gel on crop water use efficiency. Multivariate analysis of principal component analysis and clustering heatmap revealed that treatment combinations such as I2S1 (moderate irrigation with silica gel) optimized sunflower productivity, particularly for seed yield and oil content, reinforcing the importance of tailored agronomic practices for maximizing crop performance under varying environmental conditions. These findings underscore the significance of integrated agronomic approaches in enhancing sunflower productivity while promoting sustainable crop management practices.

Enhancing cadmium phytoremediation in contaminated soil using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with EDTA and vermicompost amendments

The study hypothesis posits that EDTA, an effective chelating agent, can effectively mobilize cadmium from soil, augmenting the sunflower's natural ability to absorb and sequester heavy metals. Concurrently, vermicompost, rich in organic matter and beneficial microorganisms, enhances soil health and supports plant growth, thereby fortifying the sunflower's phytoremediative potential. The pot experiment was carried out as an overall completely randomized design (CRD) at the Sheila Dhar Institute (SDI) experimental farm, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, in the Kharif season during the years 2023-2024. Plants were cultivated in pots with soil (5 kg) that contained varying concentrations of Cd (0, 15, 30, and 50 mg/kg), vermicompost (0 and 10 g/kg), and EDTA (0 and 2.5 mmol/kg). Plants were also cultivated in containers with clean soil (T1) as control treatment. For analyzed heavy metal (Cd) in plants with a tri-acid mixture (15 ml) containing concentrations of HNO3, H2SO4, and HClO4 in 5:1:2 ratios, use the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result showed that the combined Treatment (T3) pot of application of Cd 0+ EDTA (2.5 mmol/kg) and vermicompost (10 g/kg) was the maximum dry biomass (14.43 g/pot) of the sunflower plant. While the maximum dose combined treatment (T12) application of Cd 50 mg/kg+ EDTA 2.5 mmol/kg and vermicompost 10 g/kg is greater than before, the maximum accumulation of Cd in the shoot and root of Helianthus annuus L. by shoot 37.16% and root 31.16%, respectively as compared to the control treatment pot Cd-50. The results indicate that the combined application of EDTA and vermicompost significantly increased cadmium uptake by sunflowers compared to untreated controls, demonstrating their synergistic effect in improving phytoremediation efficiency.

Chemical Management of Helianthus annuus L. as a Broadleaf Weed in Interaction with the Zea mays L. Crop

Objective: To evaluate the biological effectiveness of progressive doses of the herbicide Condraz® (tritosulfuron + dicamba) in post-emergence in dicotyledonous plants grown in consortium with corn in a greenhouse. Design/methodology/approach: The research was performed out in a greenhouse within the facilities of the Colegio Superior Agropecuario del Estado de Guerrero. Dekalb 357® corn was established, planted in a consortium with sunflower, to measure the response to different dosages of the herbicide Condraz® (tritosulfuron + dicamba). We worked with a completely randomized block experimental design (DBCA). Results: The treatments were 100% effective, because they eliminated the sunflower plants used as a representative of dicotyledonous weeds; while, in treatment T1 (water) the number of these was not affected, which was 10 sunflower plants per pot in the two experiments. Limitations on study/implications: Our results are specific for the management of dicotyledonous weeds in corn. Findings/conclusions: Condraz® herbicide is effective in eliminating dicotyledonous weeds when applied in doses ranging from 100 to 190 g per ha.

Effect of partial replacement of whole milk khoa with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) milk on biochemical and functional properties

Effect of partial replacement of whole milk khoa with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) milk on biochemical and functional properties

Synergic effect of nano urea, sulphur and boron fertilization on growth, yield and quality of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Synergic effect of nano urea, sulphur and boron fertilization on growth, yield and quality of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heavy Metal Contamination and Risk of Sunflower Germination and Heavy Metal Translocation

Background: Heavy metal contamination in soils adversely affects plant growth, particularly in crops used for phytoremediation, such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Understanding the response of different sunflower varieties to heavy metal stress is crucial for developing effective phytoremediation strategies.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) on the germination, growth attributes, and metal translocation of two sunflower varieties, Hysun-33 and FH-533.Methods: Sunflower seeds of Hysun-33 and FH-533 were sown in sand-filled pots treated with 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM of Ni, Cd, and Pb. Germination rates, shoot and root lengths, and dry biomass were measured after 20 days. Metal concentrations in roots and shoots were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and statistical analyses, including ANOVA and regression, were performed to assess the effects of metal concentrations.Results: Germination rates for Hysun-33 decreased from 79% at 0 mM to 0% at 200 mM, while FH-533 dropped from 75% to 5%. Shoot lengths decreased by 47% at 150 mM Ni, and root biomass was reduced by 62% under 200 mM Cd for both varieties.Conclusion: Cadmium posed the greatest threat to sunflower growth, emphasizing the need for enhanced metal tolerance in phytoremediation applications. Reducing heavy metal contamination in crops is vital for improving food safety and public health.

Genomic Insights into Disease Resistance in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Identifying Key Regions and Candidate Genes for Verticillium dahliae Resistance.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a globally significant field crop, and disease resistance is crucial for ensuring yield stability and crop quality. Verticillium dahliae is a notorious soilborne pathogen that causes Verticillium Wilt (VW) and threatens sunflower production worldwide. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of sunflower resistance to V. dahliae across 231 sunflower cultivar lines, from the Sunflower Association Mapping (SAM) population. We employed EMMAX and ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction (rrBLUP) and identified 148 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 23 putative genes associated with V. dahliae resistance, including receptor like kinases, cell wall modification, transcriptional regulation, plant stress signalling and defense regulation genes. Our enrichment and quantitative real-time PCR validation results highlight the importance of membrane vesicle trafficking in the sunflower immune system for efficient signaling and defense upon activation by V. dahliae. This study also reveals the polygenic architecture of V. dahliae resistance in sunflowers and provides insights for breeding sunflower cultivars resistant to VW. This research contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance crop resilience and reduce yield losses due to VW, ultimately benefiting sunflower growers and the agricultural sector.