Basic Information - Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Crop Plants - page 6

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Basic Information
Gerald Seiler* and Chao-Chien Jan
ABSTRACT
Sunflower is one of a few crops that has its origin in North America.
The crop is grown worldwide and performs well in most temperate
climates of the world, with significant production occurring in each of
the six crop producing continents. It is the second largest hybrid crop
and the fifth largest edible oilseed crop grown on 22.9 million hectares
in 60 countries with a value of over US$40 billion. Sunflower production
continues to face challenges from both abiotic and biotic factors as
production is shifting from areas of high productivity to marginal
areas with lower yield potential. The challenge for the sunflower
community is to breed sunflowers adaptable to these marginal
environments while still increasing seed yield. The wild ancestors of
the crop have served as a source of many genes for pest resistance,
especially for diseases. Molecular biology has added to the scope of
plant breeding in sunflower, providing an option to manipulate plant
expressions. Researchers will have to strive to combine the best
conventional and molecular genetic and genomic approaches to
improve sunflower germplasm to keep sunflower as an economically
viable global crop. This will require a multidisciplinary team approach
and a commitment to a long-term integrated genetic improvement
program.
Keywords: Genetic resources; genebanks; botanical description;
domestication; wild species utilization; interspecific hybridization;
Helianthus
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northern Crop Science Laboratory, Fargo, ND
58105, USA.