Intergeneric hybidization of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with spiny plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides L.)

Abstract

Abstract Carduus acanthoides L (spiny plumeless thistle) a biannual wild species with 2n = 22 chromosomes was crossed with Helianthus annuus L. When crossing, pollen from C. acanthoides germinated and pollinated the stigmas of sunflower lines HA 89A after 48 h. The crossability rate was low, but seeds and hybrid plants were obtained. The F1 plants strongly resembled the cultivated sunflower with the most important bio-morphological characters, even though they had an intermediate type of heritability. The hybrid nature was confirmed by RAPD markers. The polymorphism between H. annuus, C. acanthoides, and their F1 hybrids was studied using RAPD. The result showed introgression of C. acanthoides in the hybrid progeny. It was established that the wild species carried Rf genes for the CMS PET-1. After self-pollination and sib-pollination of the F1 plants and back-crossing with cultivated sunflower, F2, BC1 and next generation hybrid progenies were obtained. The investigation encompassed the period 2000–2007 and 2014–2018. Some of the new lines have been included in a heterosis breeding program for developing hybrids for the sunflower market.