New genetic variability in sunflower inbred lines created by mutagenesis

Abstract

The successful use of plant breeding for improving desirable traits requires the existence of genetic variability for these traits. Induced mutations are often used to create new genetic variability within a plant species. The objective of this study was to provide new genetic variability that can be exploited for improvement of important agronomic traits in sunflower production. The seeds of 8 sunflower inbred lines from the gene collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia were irradiated with gamma rays (gamma) and fast neutrons (Nf) and treated in an ethyle-methane-sulphonate (ems) solution. The manifestation of mutations was mostly expressed in the M-2 and M-3 generations. Seven mutants were selected: 1 early flowering (L3ME), 2 short (L2MS and RIMS) and 1 high stature (R3MT), 2 with higher oil content (L1MO and R2MO) and 1 with branching (L4MBr). The stable progenies were evaluated in micro-plot tests in M-6 and M-7 generations for seed yield and other agronomic traits in comparison with their respective original lines. Further studies should be focused on testing new mutant lines in hybrid combinations, as well as determining the inheritance of mutant traits.