Using Genetic Resources to Augment Sunflower Production

Abstract

The limiting factor in sunflower production is the narrow
genetic variability within cultivated sunflower genotypes,
insufficient resistance to diseases and insects, insufficient
tolerance to stress conditions (soil and atmospheric
drought), pooradaptability to changedgrowing conditions,
low self-fertility, insufficient attractiveness to pollinators
(bees), and inefficient use of soil nutrients. All this
highlights the importance of utilizing wild species of
the genus Helianthus in increasing the genetic variability
of the cultivated sunflower.