In Vitro Growth of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) via Direct Organogenesis

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a crop of increasing importance as a source of seed oil and proteins; nonetheless, the number of studies on sunflower tissue culture is somewhat limited. The development of a competent in vitro direct organogenesis protocol involves important basic steps of regeneration. In our study, chemically sterilized sunflower seeds were planted on induction media, and 52.54 % germination efficiency was found. While the seeds were subjected to regeneration containing 2 mg/L of cytokinin, Benzyl Adenopurine (BAP) as well as 1 mg/L of auxin, Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA); shoot growth was observed with41 % regeneration efficiency. Non-sterilized seeds germinated but showed fungal growth on the surface of media resulting in no regeneration of sunflower plantlet. On the other hand, sterile seeds germinated less with little or no fungal growth leading to successful regeneration. Frequent regeneration of sterile sunflower seeds through direct organogenesis can contribute to enhanced micro-propagation of this plant.