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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #362890
Research Project: Genetic Enhancement of Sunflower Yield and Tolerance to Biotic Stress

Location: Sunflower and Plant Biology Research

Title: Registration of oilseed sunflower germplasms RHA 478, RHA 479, RHA 480, and HA 481, providing diversity in resistance to necrotrophic pathogens of sunflower

Author
item Koehler, Brady
item GULYA, THOMAS - Retired ARS Employee
item Hulke, Brent

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Registrations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2019
Publication Date: 9/19/2019
Citation: Koehler, B.D., Gulya, T.J., Hulke, B.S. 2019. Registration of oilseed sunflower germplasms RHA 478, RHA 479, RHA 480, and HA 481, providing diversity in resistance to necrotrophic pathogens of sunflower. Journal of Plant Registrations. 13(3):444-449. https://doi.org/10.3198/jpr2019.04.0017crg.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3198/jpr2019.04.0017crg

Interpretive Summary: The USDA has released four inbred lines which add resistance to Phomopsis stalk canker and Sclerotinia head rot to sunflower hybrids. These diseases cause the most damage to sunflower yields and are most common in the northern region of the United States where the the majority of the sunflower acres are located. The lines were also tested for yield potential with experimental hybrids that are similar to what farmers grow. The results showed each inbred line had yield potential comparable with already available commercial products. In addition, two lines have herbicide tolerance to a specific product which is popular in the sunflower industry and two lines have seed oil composition consisting of high oleic acid which is important for high-value sunflower oil markets.

Technical Abstract: Pathogens such as Sclerotinia and Phomopsis have caused yield limiting diseases for the sunflower industry. Additional genetic resources with high yield potential as well as disease resistance is essential for limiting the effects of these pathogens. Our goal is to develop public inbred germplasm with high yield potential, tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides, and enhanced oil seed traits while adding genes with improved resistance to necrotrophic pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary and Diaporthe spp., the causal organism of Phomopsis stalk canker. RHA 478, RHA 479, and RHA 480 are restorer inbred germplasm lines and HA 481 is a maintainer inbred germplasm developed with the pedigree breeding method with testcross hybrid trials for agronomic and disease evaluation. RHA 478 (Reg. No. GP-359, PI 688040), RHA 479 (Reg. No. GP-360, PI 688041), RHA 480 (Reg. No. GP-361, PI 688042), and HA 481 (Reg. No. GP-362, PI 688037) have tolerance to imidazolinone along with high yield potential and RHA 478 and HA 481 has high oleic acid in the seed oil. The lines are released by the USDA-ARS in Fargo to provide germplasm with resistance to multiple diseases while also containing valuable agronomic traits.