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Refined sunflower oil has dissimilar shelf life compared to cold-pressed sunflower oil, which increases the use of refined oil, and it is more abundant in the diet. On the other hand, the production of cold-pressed oils does not require chemical processing. Moreover, these oils contain significant amounts of bioactive components with a beneficial health effect. Breeders are trying to create new sunflower hybrids for the production of cold-pressed oil with improved oxidative characteristics. This study aims to examine the rancidity of 24 cold-pressed sunflower oils of new hybrids under accelerated thermal stability test conditions (Rancimat and Schaal oven tests) and to compare the obtained results with refined sunflower oil. According to investigated oxidative parameters, the most similar to refined sunflower oil was the H20 sample with the induction period determined by the Rancimat test of 9.55 ± 0.00 h, compared to 9.49 ± 0.00 h, obtained in refined sunflower oil. The total oxidation value of the H20 sample amounted to 3.26 ± 0.12, while in refined sunflower oil this value was 2.12 ± 1.73.

Sunflower is considered more tolerant and adaptable to abiotic stresses than many other crops. It can be successfully grown in marginal soils and in semiarid conditions. Hence, sunflower crop stands a very good chance of surviving a changing environment with its broad genetic base and the use of emerging—omics technologies. In the future, it will be necessary to improve sunflower crop productivity under different abiotic stresses occurring individually or simultaneously Future work in sunflower genetics and breeding for abiotic stress tolerance should be directed to the research and exploitation of the available genetic resources, as useful sources of genes for resilience. An integrated multidisciplinary approach based on genetics and—omics, physiology, and modelling, along with the application of modern breeding tools, should be used for designing of novel sunflower varieties, more resilient for abiotic stresses and extreme environmental conditions that are becoming more frequent due to climate change. In this chapter, we present a review on how sunflower could be adapted to abiotic stresses, respective traits, genetic resources, and tools for their introduction into the cultivated sunflower, thus making sunflower tolerant to the extreme climatic conditions.

The ongoing climate change, coupled with the transformations of cultivation practices and land use in sole crop production, may cause a significant decline in sunflower yield stability. Considering that the sunflower is the third oilseed in the world oilseed market, with 45 million tons of grain per year, and that it takes the fourth position in the vegetable oil market, the implementation of sustainable growing technology in sunflower production is a necessity. Considering the above, the goal of the research was to analyze and recommend sustainable sunflower production technology in intercropping systems. A four-year trial was conducted in Serbia’s agroecological conditions (45∘34′23.2′′ N 19∘86′18.9′′ E) using a split-plot design. Two oil-type hybrids and one confectionary-type hybrid were intercropped with common vetch, red clover, and alfalfa. Common vetch × sunflower intercropping resulted in the decrease in almost all sunflower traits. Moreover, sunflower × alfalfa intercropping proved to be the most appropriate. The yield of NS Gricko and Rimi PR were statistically on the same level with sole cropping, while alfalfa biomass had better results after alfalfa was intercropped with NS Gricko, as compared to sole cropping. In view of the prevailing belief that yields are more stable in intercropping than in sole cropping, further research is needed in this respect, in addition to further research of the time and method of sowing.

Given that climate change is a burning issue, agriculture must turn to more sustainable and environmentally friendly systems, counting intercropping. Within a two-year study of intercropping sunflower with legumes, the influence of this system on sunflower plant height and head diameter was investigated. The aim of research was to evaluate the effects of sunflower-legume intercropping on these traits, considering the possibility of competition between crops. The field trial was set up in April 2017 and 2018 at Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia experimental field in moderate-continental climate. Year 2017 was extremely arid with the sum of precipitation different compared to 2018. Plant height and head diameter of hybrids Rimi PR, Dukat and NS Gricko, intercropped with common vetch, red clover and alfalfa were compared with control, i.e. same sunflower hybrids grown as a sole crop. It was observed that intense growth of common vetch suppressed the growth of sunflower, and led to a decrease in measured traits in all three hybrids. Results indicated that the following combinations of sunflower and legumes are most desirable: NS Gricko/RC, Dukat/ALF, Dukat/RC and Rimi PR/RC depending on the agro-ecological conditions. Given that the experiment was performed in years that varied significantly in agro-ecological conditions, the results indicated that red clover and alfalfa can mitigate the negative effects caused by lack of precipitation and high temperatures. In order to better understand all aspects of sunflower-legume intercropping, further research, which should include other morphological, qualitative and quantitative indicators, is needed. Obzirom da su klimatske promene goruće pitanje današnjice, poljoprivreda se mora okrenuti održivijim i ekološki prihvatljivijim sistemima, kao što je združenja setva. U okviru dvogodišnjeg istraživanja združivanja suncokreta sa leguminozama, ispitan je uticaj ovog sistema na visinu biljaka i prečnik glave suncokreta. Cilj istraživanja bila je procena uticaja združivanja leguminoza sa suncokretom na ove osobine, uzimajući u obzir mogućnost kompeticije između useva. Poljski ogled je postavljen u aprilu 2017. i 2018. godine na eksperimentalnom polju Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad, Srbija u umereno-kontinentalnoj klimi. Godina 2017. bila je izuzetno sušna sa količinom padavina različitim u odnosu na 2018. godinu. Visina biljaka i prečnik glave hibrida Rimi PR, Dukat i NS Gricko združenih sa grahoricom, crvenom detelinom i lucerkom uprođeni su sa kontrolom, tj. istim hibridima koji su uzgajani u čistom usevu. Primećeno je da intenzivan početni porast grahorice suzbija rast suncokreta i dovodi do smanjenja visine biljaka i prečnika glave kod sva tri hibrida. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na to da su sledeće kombinacije suncokreta i leguminoza najpoželjnije: NS Gricko/RC, Dukat/ALF, Dukat/RC and Rimi PR/RC u zavisnosti od agroekoloških uslova. Obzirom na to da je eksperiment izveden u godinama koje su se značajno razlikovale u agroekološkim uslovima, rezultati pokazuju da crvena detelina i lucerka mogu ublažiti negativne efekte izazvane nedostatkom padavina i visokim temperaturama. Kako bi se bolje razumeli svi aspekti združivanja suncokreta sa leguminozama potrebna su dalja istraživanja koja će uključiti i ostale morfološke, kvalitativne i kvantitativne pokazatelje.

Background Sunflower seeds are in the top five most abundant oilseeds in the world, as well as sunflower oil in the edible oils group. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to cold-pressed sunflower oil because less processing is involved and no solvent is used. The present study was carried out to investigate dimensions (length, width, thickness), firmness, general (moisture content and hull content, mass of 1000 seeds), gravimetric (true and bulk density, porosity) and geometric characteristics (equivalent diameter, surface area, seed volume, sphericity) of 20 new sunflower hybrid seeds. Steps to determine most of these parameters are quite simple and easy since the process does not require long time or special equipment. Results Principal component analysis and cluster analysis confirmed differences in the mentioned characteristics between oily and confectionary sunflower hybrid seeds. One of the major differences between two groups of samples was in extraction oil yield. Mechanical extraction oil yield of the oily hybrid seeds was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) higher (from 68.72 ± 4.21% to 75.61 ± 1.99%) compared to confectionary hybrids (from 20.10 ± 2.82% to 39.91 ± 6.23%). Extraction oil yield values are known only after oil extraction. Conclusion Knowledge of the extraction oil yield value before the mechanical extraction enables better management of the process. By application of the artificial neural network approach, an optimal neural network model was developed. The developed model showed a good generalization capability to predict the mechanical extraction oil yield of new sunflower hybrids based on the experimental data, which was a main goal of this paper. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

In recent years, overcoming the negative impact of climate change on the productivity of cultivated plants and the creation of tolerant genotypes have become one of the strategic goals in agriculture. In that context, IFVCNS breeding teams work intensely on finding innovative solutions to the main problems and challenges facing science and agriculture in the 21st century - climate change, environmental protection and sustainable crop production. In climate-smart crop breeding programmes IFVCNS researchers use innovative and high-throughput solutions for the exploitation of the existing and creation of the new genetic variability of field crops, creation of superior genotypes and transfer and implementation of new knowledge and technologies.

As organic agriculture represents one of the most sustainable ways of agricultural land use, the key purpose of this research was to improve confectionary sunflower production in organic agriculture. The trial compared seed yield per plant of conventional confectionary sunflower hybrids in organic vs conventional production. Subsequently, 1000 seed weight, seed yield per plant and kernel ratio of confectionary hybrids treated with the following fertilizers used in organic production: fertilizer of animal origin (G), fertilizer based on amino acids and nitrogen (T) and microbiological fertilizer (N) were compared with untreated control (C). Fertilizers enhanced yield of sunflower compared to untreated control; the highest yield was recorded in combined of G+N and G+T, all in organic agriculture system. NS Gricko had the lowest seed yield per plant compared to the other hybrids that significantly increased when treated with G+N fertilizers; same results were obtained in treatments of NS Slatki, and NS Leviathan. Preliminary results of the study indicated that application of organic fertilizers can have a positive effect on yield of sunflower in organic production conditions, which indicates that further research is necessary. Kako organska poljoprivreda predstavlja jedan od najodrživijih načina korišćenja poljoprivrednog zemljišta, svrha ovog istraživanja bila je poboljšanje proizvodnje konzumnog suncokreta u organskoj poljoprivredi. Prilikom istraživanja upoređen je prinos po biljci konvencionalnih hibrida u organskom i konvencionalnom proizvodnom sistemu. Nakon toga, upoređeni su masa 1000 semena, prinos po biljci i udeo jezgra konzumnih hibrida tretiranih sledećim đubrivima koja se koriste u organskoj proizvodnji: đubrivo životinjskog porekla (G), đubriva na bazi amino-kiselina i azota (T) i mikrobiološko đubrivo (N) sa ne tretiranom kontrolom (C). Primena ovih đubriva povećala je prinos hibrida u odnosu na kontrolu, a najveći je zabeležen u kombinaciji tretmana G+N i G+T, a sve u organskom sistemu gajenja. NS Gricko je imao najmanji, statistički značajan, prinos semena po biljci u poređenju sa drugim hibridima, koji se značajno povećan tretiranjem G + N đubrivima; isti rezultati su dobijeni kod hibrida NS Slatki i NS Leviathan. Preliminarni rezultati studije ukazuju da primena organskih đubriva može pozitivno uticati na prinos suncokreta u uslovima organske proizvodnje, što pokazuje da su dalja istraživanja neophodna.

Due to its ability to grow in different agroecological conditions and its moderate drought tolerance, sunflower may become the oil crop of preference in the future, especially in the light of global environmental changes. In the field conditions, sunflower crop is often simultaneously challenged by different biotic and abiotic stresses, and understanding the shared mechanisms contributing to two or more stresses occurring individually or simultaneously is important to improve crop productivity under foreseeable complex stress situations. Exploitation of the available plant genetic resources in combination with the use of modern molecular tools for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and application of genomic selection (GS) could lead to considerable improvements in sunflower, especially with regard to different stresses and better adaptation to the climate change. In this chapter we present a review of climate-smart (CS) traits and respective genetic resources and tools for their introduction into the cultivated sunflower, thus making it the oil crop resilient to the extreme climatic conditions and well-known and emerging pests and diseases. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.

Path coefficient analysis was applied to gain information on direct and indirect effects of studied traits (seed oil content, kernel oil content, seed protein content, kernel protein content, head diameter, kernel ratio and plant height) on sunflower seed yield. Traits which exhibit the highest effects on seed yield will be used as a selection criterion in confectionary sunflower breeding. The research was conducted during three vegetation seasons on 22 experimental confectionary sunflower hybrids, created in breeding program the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. Among the largest number of examined traits, significant and highly significant correlations were found. With the analysis of simple correlation coefficients a low interdependence was determined between, kernel protein content, plant heights with seed yield. Negative but weak correlation was determined between kernel oil content, seed protein content, kernel ratio with seed yield. Established a negative strong correlation of head diameter (-0.190*) and negative very strong correlation of seed oil content (-0.351**) with seed yield. The seed oil content had a very strong direct negative effect on seed yield (DE=-0.831**). The head diameter, plant height, seed protein content had weak negative direct effect on seed yield. Kernel protein content and kernel oil content has demonstrated a weak direct positive effect on seed yield. Path coefficient analysis for seed yield showed very strong direct effect for kernel ratio (DE=0.487*) on seed yield, it shows that the kernel ratio is important selection criterion for confectionary sunflower breeding. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 31025: Development of new varieties and production technology improvement of oil crops for different purposes]

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on twelve rapeseed genotypes from Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, genepool in order to identify markers that could be used in marker assisted selection (MAS) for different growing type and selection of the varieties with low or zero level of erucic acid. Out of fifteen RAPD markers, three were monomorphic, whereas twelve had polymorphic profiles. Three primers amplified specific fragments in spring varieties. UBC 25 and UBC 191 amplified the fragments of 450 and 750 bp, respectively, in all tested spring varieties, except in JR-NS-36. Primer UBC 72 generated a fragment of 700 bp that was present in all spring varieties. These fragments were not present in any of winter varieties. None of the tested RAPD primers amplified fragment(s) uniquely present either in varieties with or without (0%) erucic acid or with different erucic acid content. Cluster analysis showed a concordance between the position of varieties in the cluster and their pedigree information, but also enabled separation of spring and winter varieties. Contingency analysis confirmed that fragment UBC 72_700 is specific for spring varieties, while for erucic acid content, only moderate association was found with UBC 137_750. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR31025 and Grant no. 173009]

Pre-breeding and elite breeding are two steps in creating high yielding sunflower hybrids that differ in well established procedures and selection methods. However, a methodology that bridge efficient use of introgression lines as product of pre-breeding procedures and their crossing to elite inbreed lines, is not yet very well established. Therefore, the development of cost- and time-efficient methods for the determination of best parent heterosis and the use of best inbred lines in crosses with introgression lines for obtaining high- yielding and stable hybrids is highly desirable. In this regard, sixteen Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (CMS) inbred lines (A) derived from four heterogeneous interspecific lines originating from three annual: H. debilis silvestris (DEB-SIL), H. praecox runyoni (PRA- RUN), H. deserticola (DES) and one perennial H. resinosus (RES) wild species were evaluated. Seven agronomic traits were measured over a period of 2 years and 38 DNA loci were analysed, in order to compare four different methods for the estimation of best parent heterosis (BPH). New inbred lines were characterized by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of morphological traits and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) of molecular marker data. Line × tester mating design was used to evaluate General Combining Ability (GCA), while Genetic Distance (GC) estimated by markers was evaluated as a predictor of BPH by Locally Weighted Sequential Smoothing (LOESS). Analysis of combining ability is one of the most important tools breeders use to identify superior inbred lines on the basis of their performance in hybrid combinations. Results obtained in this research show that PCA of morphological and PCoA of molecular marker data on parental lines are generally in agreement with GCA effects for examined traits. GD versus BPH relationships indicate that intermediate to high GD between parental lines was optimal for best heterotic effects of most traits. In this study, we show that the combination of the PCA of morphological data, PCoA of molecular marker data and GD between parental lines is fast and affordable, giving the most important information for parental choice of introgression and elite lines in sunflower breeding programs.

The most frequent oil crops in Serbia today are sunflower and soybean, planted on over 200,000 ha each, followed by rapeseed, which increases significantly in surfaces. Black and white mustard, hemp, oil pumpkin, castor bean, flax, poppy, sesame and safflower are grown on smaller surfaces. In Serbia, a total of 355 varieties of oil plant species were on the variety list in 2017, out of which 188 were sunflower, 83 soybean and 71 rapeseed, followed by oil pumpkin, hemp, white and black mustard and castor bean. Among the domestic and foreign seed companies, the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad prevails with 150 registered varieties. Camelina, flax, poppy and safflower are in the registration process. In the ten-year period 2008-2017, the seed production of oil crops averaged 9,955 ha per year, of which the highest were soybean (8,200 ha per year) and sunflower (1,732 ha per year), and on small areas: rapeseed, oil pumpkin, poppy and hemp. In the 2016/2017 season in Serbia, 19,657,116 kg of soybean, 1,666,267 kg of sunflower, 137,179 kg of rapeseed and small quantity of white mustard seed, cannabis and oil pumpkin seeds were certified (all seed categories). Over 86% of declared sunflower seed and over 94% of rapeseed is imported. Serbia belongs to bigger European producers of soy and sunflower, has favorable agroecological conditions for the cultivation of oil crops, long tradition of breeding, strong processing sector, quality human resources and capacities and developed system of state regulation in seed production. The advantages Serbia has in breeding, seed production and growing of oil crops, have not been adequately exploited. Najzastupljenije uljane biljne vrste u Srbiji su suncokret i soja koje se gaje na preko 200.000 ha, sledi uljana repica čije površine značajno rastu. Na manjim površinama gaje se crna i bela slačica, konoplja, uljana tikva, ricinus, lan, mak, susam i šafranjika. U Srbiji je 2017. godine na listi priznatih sorti poljoprivrednog bilja bilo 355 sorti uljanih biljnih vrsta, od toga suncokreta 188, soje 83 i uljane repice 71, slede uljana tikva, konoplja, bela i crna slačica i ricinus. Među domaćim i stranim semenskim kućama dominira Institut za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo iz Novog Sada sa 150 registrovanih sorti. U priznavanju su i lanik, lan, mak i šafranjika. U desetogodišnjem periodu 2008-2017, semenarstvo uljanih biljnih vrsta se u proseku odvijalo na 9.955 ha godišnje, od toga najviše soje (8.200 ha godišnje) i suncokreta (1.732 ha godišnje) i na malim površinama uljana repica, uljana tikva, mak i konoplja. U sezoni 2016/2017. u Srbiji je atestirano (svih kategorija semena) 19.657.116 kg soje, 1.666.267 kg suncokreta, 137.179 kg uljane repice i manje količine semena bele slačice, konoplje i uljane tikve. Preko 86% deklarisanog semena suncokreta i preko 94% semena uljane repice potiču iz uvoza. Srbija spada u veće evropske proizvođače soje i suncokreta, ima povoljne agroekološke uslove za gajenje uljanih biljnih vrsta, dugu tradiciju oplemenjivanja, jak prerađivački sektor, kvalitetne kadrove i kapacitete i razvijen sistem državne regulative u semenarstvu. Prednosti koje Srbija ima u oplemenjivanju, semenarstvu i gajenju uljanih biljnih vrsta nisu adekvatno iskorištene.

The most important criteria for introducing new confectionary hybrids into the production is high protein yield. Path coefficient analysis was used to obtain information on direct and indirect effects of studied traits (seed oil content, kernel oil content, seed yield, kernel protein content, mass of 1000 seeds, kernel ratio and hull ratio) on protein yield. The research was conducted during three vegetation seasons, on 22 experimental confectionary sunflower hybrids created in the breeding program at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. Strong and very strong correlations were found among the largest number of examined traits. A weak negative interdependence was determined between kernel oil content, kernel protein content, mass of 1000 seeds, hull ratio, and protein yield using the analysis of simple correlation coefficients. Positive but weak correlation was determined between protein yield and seed oil content, and kernel ratio. Very strong positive correlation was determined between protein yield and seed yield (0.468**). The seed oil content had a very strong direct negative effect on protein yield (DE=-0.734**). The mass of 1000 seeds had a weak negative direct effect on protein yield. Kernel protein content and kernel oil content demonstrated a weak direct positive effect on protein yield. Path coefficient analysis of protein yield showed a very strong positive direct effect of kernel ratio (DE=1.340**), seed yield (DE=0.657**) and hull ratio (DE=0.992*). These findings confirm the effect of seed yield, kernel ratio, and hull ratio on protein yield, and their importance as the selection criteria in confectionary sunflower breeding. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 31025: Development of new varieties and production technology improvement of oil crops for different purposes]

SUMMARYKnowledge of genetic diversity of confectionary sunflower can have a large impact on its use in breeding programmes. However, levels and distribution of genetic variation within the confectionary sunflower gene pool are still not adequately explored. The aim of the present paper was to describe the diversity of 68 confectionary sunflower genotypes: open-pollinated varieties, lines and hybrids. A total of 32 morphological traits were used for characterization. The Shannon & Weaver diversity index (H) was estimated as a measure of morphological diversity. The mean value of the Shannon index was 0·71, which indicates a high morphological diversity. The lowest diversity was found for leaf descriptors, moderately high to high for seed traits, while the highest values were found for disc flowers and ray florets. The highest individual descriptor diversity was found for: head attitude, the angle of leaf lateral nerves and ray floret disposition. The homogeneity analysis (HOMALS) multivariate reduction technique for nominal categorical data proved to be an efficient method for a comprehensive overview of genotype diversity and group homogeneity. Besides diversity, the number of categories and uniformity of genotype distribution determines discriminative power of descriptors. Traits that contributed the most to the distinction of genotypes were identified, enabling differentiation of genotypes with similar phenotypic attributes. The highest discriminative power was observed in traits such as anthocyanin colouration of stigma (DFIA), seed colour of stripes and seed main colour. The genotypes tested formed two distinctive major groups of varieties and hybrids with inbred lines widely dispersed along both axes. A separate grouping was obtained per the most discriminative traits based on HOMALS analysis, while the best separation was obtained using DFIA. Isolated genotypes that may not be representative by yield or seed-specific traits can be useful sources of traits for breeding. Morphological characterization can be used to improve description and classification of confectionary sunflower germplasm when evaluating diversity.

The most important criterion for introducing new confectionary sunflower hybrids into production is high protein yield. In the breeding process it is important to identify traits which could be used as selection criteria for increased kernel protein content. Increase of kernel protein content results in increased protein yield. This research was conducted during three vegetation seasons on 22 NS high-protein two-line confectionary sunflower hybrids produced within the breeding program at IFVCNS, Novi Sad, Serbia. Strong and very strong correlations were found among the largest number of examined traits. Based on the analysis of simple correlation coefficients, strong negative correlation was determined between kernel protein content and kernel ratio (-0.516*). A weak negative interdependence was determined between head diameter, seed protein content, and kernel protein content. Positive but weak correlation was determined between kernel protein content and thickness of seed, length of seed, width of seed, and 1000 seed weight. Path coefficient analysis for kernel protein content at phenotypic level showed that the thickness of seed had a strong positive direct effect on kernel protein content (DE=382*). Kernel ratio and width of seed had a very strong direct negative effect on kernel protein content (DE=-0.990**; DE=0.600**). A weak direct positive effect of head diameter, seed protein content and length of seed was established, whereas 1000 seed weight had a weak direct negative effect on kernel protein content. Path coefficient analysis indicates showed that the thickness of seed has high great influence on kernel protein content, and an important selection criterion for breeding for high protein yield. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 31025: Development of new varieties and production technology improvement of oil crops for different purposes]

Objective of this study was to determine the divergence and association between seed yield and three morphological characteristics that are very important in sunflower breeding (plant height, head diameter and days to flowering) in order to identify the most valuable trait for seed yield improvement. Forty new hybrid combinations were evaluated. Cluster analysis was used to determine genetic diversity in new hybrid combinations by classifying genotypes based on average values of the studied characteristics. Genotypes were classified into three homogenous groups and six individuals. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to examine association between the studied characteristics, among which days to flowering showed negative correlation while plant height and head diameter showed positive correlation with seed yield, on both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Our study showed that there is genetic variability among new hybrids and bearing in mind that hybrids should be grown in different agro-ecological environments, our attention should be focused on developing inbred lines with lower stem resistant to lodging, larger head diameter and earlier flowering. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se utvrdi divergentnost i povezanost između prinosa semena i tri morfološka svojstva koja su veoma važna u oplemenjivanju suncokreta (visina biljke, prečnik glave i broj dana do cvetanja) kako bi se identifikovalo najznačajnije svojstvo. Četrdeset novih hibridnih kombinacija je ocenjeno u ovom istraživanju. Klaster analiza je korištena za određivanje genotipske divergentnosti u novim hibridnim kombinacijama klasifikacijom genotipova na osnovu srednjih vrednosti ispitivanih svojstava. Genotipovi su klasifikovani u tri homogene grupe i šest pojedinačnih. Za istraživanje povezanosti ispitivanih svojstava korišteni su Pirsonovi koeficijenti korelacije. Između ispitivanih svojstava, dani do cvetanja su pokazali negativnu korelaciju, dok su visina biljke i prečnik glave pokazali pozitivnu korelaciju sa prinosom semena, na genotipskom i fenotipskom nivou. Naša studija je pokazala da između novih hibrida postoji genetička varijabilnost a imajući u vidu da hibridi treba da se gaje u različitim agro-ekološkim uslovima naša pažnja treba da se usmeri na stvaranje inbred linija niže stabljike otporne na poleganje, većeg prečnika glave i ranijeg cvetanja.

Broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) presents a serious problem in sunflower production in a number of countries, it reduces sunflower seed yield and negatively affects other sunflower traits in sunflower production. Continued work on creating new sunflower hybrids resistant to broomrape requires testing of breeding materials in both field conditions and controlled conditions of a greenhouse. The best solution is to do the testing simultaneously in order to verify the congruence of the evaluation of the broomrape resistance achieved by these two methods. The screening of chosen new 15 sunflower hybrids for broomrape resistance was done in 2009 and 2010 in infected field on two locations in Vojvodina Province and in 2010 in greenhouse. Both field and the greenhouse tests rated the hybrids exclusively on the basis of presence or absence of the parasite. The infection of hybrids with broomrape has shown that out of 15 hybrids tested, 9 hybrids were resistant. These hybrids were fully resistant in both years in field conditions and controlled greenhouse conditions during one year. Fully resistant hybrids in field conditions and in greenhouse conditions NS-H-6385 and NS-H-6396 had significantly higher seed yield, seed oil content and oil yield in relation to standard.

The aim of this study was to evaluate NS sunflower hybrids on the basis of the results of seed yield, seed oil content and oil yield obtained in a network of small-plot trials in Serbia in 2011. The trial included 9 hybrids and 14 locations. Seed yield, seed oil content and oil yield were significantly different in small-plot trials in the investigated regions of Serbia. The highest average seed yield was produced by Sremac (3.67 t ha-1), Velja (3.62 t ha-1), Duško (3.56 t ha-1) and Novosađanin (3.55 t ha-1). On the location Rimski šančevi the seed yield (4.48 t ha-1) was significantly highest. Average oil content for hybrids grown in 14 locations was 47.25%. Hybrids Baća (50.26%), NS-H-111 (48.91%), Bačvanin (48.70%) and Novosađanin (47.83%) showed the highest average seed oil content. The highest average oil yield was produced by Baća (1.71 t ha-1), Novosađanin (1.70), Velja (1.67 t ha-1), Sremac (1.63 t ha-1) and NS-H-111 (1.63 t ha-1). Locations with the highest oil yield were Rimski šančevi (2.03 t ha-1) and Sombor (1.96 t ha-1). In the four-year trials in Vojvodina, the average seed yield of 9 hybrids was 3.35 t ha-1. Seed yield over general mean was reached by three hybrids (Duško, Sremac and Velja). The highest seed yield was reached by hybrid Duško (3.56 t ha-1). AMMI1 biplot showed that most stable and with high seed and oil yield were the hybrids Duško, Sremac and Baća, and for oil content Baća, Bačvanin and NS-H-111. Cilj rada bio je da se ocene NS hibridi suncokreta na osnovu rezultata koje su ostvarili za prinos semena, sadržaja ulja u semenu i prinosa ulja u mreži mikro-ogleda u Srbiji tokom 2011. godine. Ispitivano je 9 hibrida na 14 lokaliteta. Prinos semena, sadržaj ulja u semenu i prinos ulja su se značajno razlikovali u mreži mikro-ogleda u ispitivanim regionima Srbije. Najveći prosečan prinos semena ostvarili su hibridi Sremac (3,67 t ha-1), Velja (3,62 t ha-1), Duško (3,56 t ha-1) i Novosađanin (3,55 t ha-1). Na lokalitetu Rimski šančevi postignut je značajno najveći prinos semena (4,48 t ha-1). Prosečan sadržaj ulja za 9 hibrida, gajenih na 14 lokaliteta iznosio je 47,25%. Najveći prosečan sadržaj ulja u semenu ostvarili su hibridi Baća (50,26%), NS-H-111 (48,91%), Bačvanin (48,70%) i Novosađanin (47,83%). Prosečan prinos ulja u Srbiji iznosio je 1,63 t ha-1. Najveći prosečan prinos ulja imali su hibridi Baća (1,71 t ha-1), Novosađanin (1,70 t ha-1), Velja (1,67 t ha-1), Sremac (1,63 t ha-1) i NS-H-111 (1,63 t ha-1). Lokaliteti sa najvećim prinosom ulja su bili Rimski šančevi (2,03 t ha-1) i Sombor (1,96 t ha-1). Na osnovu rezultata četvorogodišnjih ispitivanja u regionu Vojvodine, opšti prosek prinosa 9 hibrida iznosio je 3,35 t ha-1. Prinos semena iznad opšteg proseka postigli su hibridi Duško, Sremac i Velja, pri čemu je hibrid Duško imao najveći prinos (3,56 t ha-1). Kao najstabilniji hibridi za prinos semena i prinos ulja na ispitivanim lokalitetima, na osnovu AMMI1 biplota, pokazali su se Duško, Sremac i Baća, a za sadržaj ulja Baća, Bačvanin i NS-H-111.

Growing confectionery sunflower for consumption is becoming more and more attractive in the whole world. In Eastern European countries production, processing, and breeding of confectionery sunflower differ from oil-type sunflower. There is no precise information on the sowing areas of confectionery varieties and hybrids in Eastern European countries, mostly because, in statistical reports, sunflower producers do not provide separate data on the share of varieties in gross revenue of all manufactured products. Confectionery sunflower seeds are used in bakery products, but also in a number of natural health products and healthy snacks, as well as for direct consumption in the hull, dehulled, raw or backed form. Confectionery sunflower breeding is characterized by the fact that different markets have different demands when it comes to the seed size, hull colour, and other traits, which make this process more difficult and costlier. Market demands and production area of confectionery sunflower show a steady increase due to its nutritional value and use in human nutrition. In Eastern European countries, it is expected that the highly productive confectionery hybrids will replace varieties, which will lead to the increase of surfaces under this crop.

The creation of new sunflower hybrids with high genetic potential for seed yield on the basis of interspecies hybridization requires a possession of the information about the mode of inheritance and the combining abilities of the created inbreed lines for the total seed number per head and the mass of 100 seeds. Apart from this the research of interdependence between yield components and seed yield allows the defining of traits which have the biggest influence on the yield formation. Significant differences were found among the A lines, Rf testers and their F1 hybrids in total seed number per head and the mass of 100 seeds. Analysis of variance of the combining abilities revealed highly significant differences for GCA and SCA. Highly significant positive value GCA was demonstrated by A-line NS-GS-5 for both traits. Hybrid NS-GS-5xRHA-R- PL-2/1 has the highest significant value SCA for both traits. The main role in inheritance of the total seed number per head and the mass of 100 seeds is played by non additive component of the genetic variance which is confirmed by the GCA/SCA relation in F1 generation that is less than one (0.11, 0.24). Rf-testers had the highest average contribution in the expression of the total seed number per head (55.8%) while for the mass of 100 seeds a more significant contribution was given by A-line (70.6%). A strong positive interdependence has been determined between seed yield and total seed number per head (0.376*) and a very strong positive interdependence was determined between seed yield and the mass of 100 seeds (0.823). These research can be significant for the creation of new high-yielding sunflower hybrids on the basis of interspecies hybridization. Stvaranje novih hibrida suncokreta sa visokim genetskim potencijalom za prinos semena na osnovu interspecijes hibridizacije zahteva posedovanje informacija o načinu nasleđivanja i kombinacionim sposobnostima stvorenih inbred linija za ukupan broj semena po glavi i masu 100 semena. Pored ovoga, istraživanja međuzavisnosti komponenti prinosa i prinosa semena omogućavaju definisanjae svojstava koja imaju najveći uticaj na formiranje prinosa. Pronađene su značajne razlike između A linija, Rf testera i njihovih F1 hibrida u ukupnom broju semena po glavi i masi od 100 semena. Analizom varijanse kombinacionih sposobnosti uočene su visoko značajne razlike za OKS i PKS. Visoko značajnu pozitivnu vrednost OKS pokazala je A-linija NS-GS-5 za obe ispitivane osobine. Hibrid NS-GS-5xRHA-R-PL-2/1 ima visoko značajnu vrednost PKS za ukupan broj semena po glavi i masu 100 semena. Glavnu ulogu u nasleđivanju ukupnog broja semena po glavi i mase 100 semena igra neaditivna komponenta genetske varijanse, što je potvrđeno odnosom OKS/PKS u F1 generaciji koji je manji od 1 (0.11, 0.24). Najveći prosečan doprinos u ekspresiji ukupnog broja semena po glavi (55.8%) imali su Rf testeri, dok je za masu od 100 semena mnogo važniji doprinos A-linija (70.6%). Jaka pozitivna međuzavisnost utvrđena je između prinosa semena i ukupnog broja semena po glavi (0.376*) i vrlo jaka pozitivna međuzavisnost utvrđena je između prinosa semena i mase 100 semena (0.823). Ova istraživanja mogu biti značajna za stvaranje novih visoko prinosnih hibrida suncokreta na bazi interspecijes hibridizacije.

The two most important criteria for introducing new confectionary hybrids into production are high seed and protein yield. That is why it is important to find the traits that are measurable, and that at the same time show a strong correlation with seed and protein yield, so that they can be used as a criteria for confectionary hybrid breeding. Results achieved during 2008 at the locations Rimski Šančevi (Region of Vojvodina) and Kula (Central Serbia) show that the new confectionary hybrids are expressing higher seed yields in comparison to standards (Vranac and Cepko) though with a lower seed oil content. A very strong positive correlation was determined between seed yield and seed protein content, kernel content and mass of 1000 seeds. A very strong positive correlation was determined between seed protein content, seed yield and mass of 1000 seeds, with protein yield. This indicates that seed yield, seed protein content and mass of 1000 seeds have a high influence on protein yield. The degree of interdependence between different traits is a sign of direction which is supposed to facilitate better planning of sunflower breeding program. Dva najznačajnija kriterijuma za uvođenje novih konzumnih hibrida u proizvodnju su visok prinos semena i proteina. Zato je važno pronaći osobine koje su merljive, a istovremeno ispoljavaju jaku korelaciju sa prinosom semena i proteina tako da se mogu koristiti kao kriterijumi za oplemenjivanje konzumnih hibrida. Postignuti rezultati u toku 2008. godine na lokalitetima Rimski Šančevi (region Vojvodina) i Kula (uža Srbija) pokazuju da novi hibridi konzumnog tipa postižu veće prinose semena u poređenju sa standardima (Vranac i Cepko) uz smanjenje sadržaja ulja. Utvrđena je veoma jaka pozitivna korelacija između prinosa semena i sadržaja proteina u semenu, sadržaja jezgra, mase 1000 semena. Pozitivna veoma jaka korelacija konstatovana je između sadržaja proteina u semenu, prinosa semena i mase 1000 semena sa prinosom proteina. To pokazuje da prinos semena, sadržaj proteina u semenu i masa 1000 semena imaju visok uticaj na prinos proteina. Stepen međuzavisnosti između različitih osobina je putokaz koji treba da omogući bolje planiranje programa za oplemenjivanje suncokreta.

Sunflower breeding is directed towards the increase of the genetic potential for yield, stability of the yield, health care, and the quality of nutrition along with the increase of the production economy. In accordance with the Serbian market demands there have been efforts in breeding highly productive hybrids for special uses of the confectionary type at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. In this program, special attention has been given to the increase of the protein content and quality while decreasing the seed oil content, to the increase of 1000 seed weight and the decrease of the hull ratio. New NS confectionary hybrids NS-H-6316, NS-H-6318 and NS-H-6320 are adequate for nutrition, dehulling and core production. They belong to the group of mid-early hybrids while their genetic potential for seed yield is above 4.5 t ha-1 and seed oil content is less than 40%. Protein content in the core is 23-27%, mass of 1000 seeds is above 95 g, and the hull ratio is low. With the creation of the new palette of NS sunflower hybrids for various production purposes and conditions, we have gained higher quality material for the needs of the oil, food and baking industry. Rad na oplemenjivanju konzumnog suncokreta usmeren je na povećanje genetskog potencijala za prinos, stabilnosti prinosa, zdravstvene bezbednosti i nutritivnog kvaliteta uz povećanje ekonomičnosti proizvodnje. U skladu sa zahtevima srpskog tržišta u Institutu za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo se radi na oplemenjivanju visoko produktivnih hibrida za posebne namene konzumnog tipa. U ovom programu posebna pažnja je posvećena povećanju sadržaja i kvaliteta proteina uz smanjenje sadržaja ulja u semenu, povećanju mase 1000 semena i smanjenju udela ljuske. Novi NS-konzumni hibridi NS-H-6316, NS-H-6318 i NS-H-6320 pogodni su za ishranu, ljuštenje i proizvodnju jezgra a pripadaju grupi srednje ranih hibrida. Genetski potencijal za prinos semena im je preko 4,5 t ha-1 a sadržaj ulja u semenu je manji od 40%. Sadržaj proteina u jezgru je 23-27%, masa 1000 semena iznad 95 g, dok je udeo ljuske nizak. Stvaranjem nove palete konzumnih NS hibrida suncokreta za različite namene i uslove proizvodnje dobija se kvalitetnija sirovina za potrebe uljarske, prehrambene i pekarske industrije.

The objective of this study was the evaluation of NS sunflower hybrids on the basis of the results of seed yield, seed oil content and oil yield obtained in a network of small-plot trials in Vojvodina and central Serbia in 2010, as well as recommendations for the sowing season 2011. Seed yield, seed oil content and oil yield were significantly different in small-plot trials in the investigated regions. In Vojvodina, the highest average seed yield was produced by Duško (3.08 t ha-1), Sremac (2.98 t ha-1), Orfej (2.97 t ha-1) Velja (2.93 t ha-1) and NS-H-111 (2.92 t ha-1). In the region of central Serbia, the highest seed yield was achieved by the hybrids NS-H-111 (2.97 t ha-1) and Duško (2.87 t ha-1). Hybrid Baća showed the highest average seed oil content both in the region of Vojvodina (48.54%) and central Serbia (48.80%). The highest average oil yield (over 1.30 t ha-1) was produced by Duško, Bačvanin and NS-H-111 in the Vojvodina region, and in central Serbia oil yield (over 1.30 t ha-1) by NS-H-111, Oskar and Novosađanin. In the three-year trials in Vojvodina four hybrids (Duško, Sremac, Velja and NS-H-111) showed seed yield over general mean. The highest seed yield was reached by hybrid Duško (3.54 t ha-1). Cilj istraživanja je bio da se ocene NS hibridi suncokreta na osnovu rezultata koje su ostvarili za prinos semena, sadržaj ulja u semenu i prinos ulja u mreži mikro-ogleda u Vojvodini i centralnoj Srbiji tokom 2010. godine kao i da se da preporuka sortimenta za 2011. U mikro-ogledima je ispitivano 13 hibrida na 10 lokaliteta u Vojvodini i 3 u centralnoj Srbiji. Prinos semena, sadržaj ulja u semenu i prinos ulja su se značajno razlikovali u mreži mikro-ogleda u ispitivanim regionima. U Vojvodini, najveći prosečan prinos semena ostvarili su hibridi Duško (3,08 t ha-1), Sremac (2,98 t ha-1) Orfej (2,97 t ha-1), Velja (2,93 t ha-1) i NS-H-111 (2,92 t ha-1). U regionu centralne Srbije najviši prosečan prinos semena su postigli NS-H-111 (2,94 t ha-1) i Duško (2,87 t ha-1). Najveći prosečan sadržaj ulja u semenu ostvario je hibrid Baća, kako u regionu Vojvodine (48,54%) tako i u regionu centralne Srbije (48,80%). Najveći prosečan prinos ulja (preko 1,30 t ha-1) u regionu Vojvodine postigli su Duško, Bačvanin i NS-H-111, a u centralnoj Srbiji najveći prosečan prinos ulja (preko 1,30 t ha-1) ostvarili su hibridi NS-H-111, Oskar i Novosađanin. Na osnovu rezultata trogodišnjih ispitivanja u Vojvodini, četiri hibrida (Duško, Sremac, Velja i NS-H-111) su dali prinos semena iznad opšteg proseka. Najveći prosečan prinos semena za tri godine postigao je hibrid Duško (3,54 t ha-1).

One of the primary tasks of sunflower breeding is the development of inbred lines by interspecific hybridization for the purpose of obtaining high-yielding, stable hybrids that are characterized by altered plant appearance and the ability to produce a higher number of plants per unit area under intensive agriculture conditions. Studied in this paper by the line x tester method were seven new divergent cms inbred lines (A) lines, three Rf restorers utilized as testers, and 21 F1 hybrids developed. Significant differences in the mean values of all the traits studied were observed. Highly significant GCA and SCA values were obtained for petiole length (PL) and total leaf area per plant (TLA). The nonadditive component of genetic variance played the main role in the inheritance of both these traits. This was confirmed by the GCA/SCA ratios for PL and LA in the F1 generation, which were below the value of one (0.43 and 0.07, respectively). The greatest average contribution to the expression of PL (49.9%) and TLA (57.1%) was found in the female A lines. A positive correlation was found between seed yield (SY) and PL (0.374*) and TLA (0.630**), while seed oil content (SOC) and TLA were found to be negatively correlated (-0.520**). The findings of this study can be used in the development of new high-yielding sunflower hybrids with high yields based on interspecific hybridization. Jedan od primarnih zadataka oplemenjivanja suncokreta je stvaranje inbred linija putem interspecijes hibridizacije radi dobijanja visokoprinosnih i stabilnih hibrida promenjenog izgleda koji u uslovima intenzivne agrotehnike omogućavaju povećanje broja biljaka po jedinici površine. Za linija x tester analizu korišćeno je sedam novih divergentnih (A) citoplazmatski muško sterilnih inbred linija nastalih interspecijes hibridizacijom, tri Rf-restorer linije kao testeri i 21 hibrid F1 generacije. Dobijene su značajne razlike u srednjim vrednostima za sva ispitivana svojstva. Izračunate su visoko značajne vrednosti OKS i PKS za dužinu lisne drške (DLD) i ukupne lisne površine po biljci (ULP). Glavnu ulogu u nasleđivanju oba svojstva ima neaditivna komponenta genetske varijanse. To potvrđuje i odnos OKS/PKS u F1 generaciji koji je manji od jedinice i iznosi 0.43 za DLD i 0.07 za ULP. Najveći prosečan doprinos u ekspresiji ovih svojstava imale su A-linije majke i to (49.9%) za DLD i (57.1%) za ULP. Ustanovljena je pozitivna međuzavisnost prinosa semena (PS) sa DLD (0.374*) i ULP (0.630**). Između sadržaja ulja u semenu (SU) i ULP ustanovljena je značajna negativna međuzavisnost (-0.520**). Ova istraživanja mogu biti od značaja za stvaranje novih visoko prinosnih genotipova suncokreta na bazi interspecies hibridizacije.

Study of inbreeding and heterosis in sunflower has been taking place for over 80 years now. Practical application of the phenomenon of heterosis in this species began after the discovery of a suitable source of cytoplasmic male sterility in 1969 and that of restorer genes. Many authors have reported significant manifestation of heterosis for seed yield and yield components as well. Also, the mode of inheritance of agronomically important traits in the F1 and F2 generations has been thoroughly examined. Positive correlations for yield have been established between parental lines and F1 hybrids. The GCA and SCA for yield and yield components have been well studied. Solutions have been suggested on how to increase the harvest index and sink capacity as well as the contributions of individual physiological parameters in the process of yield augmentation. In order to increase heterotic effects for seed yield and oil yield and direct and indirect yield components, it is necessary to increase the genetic variability of pre-breeding materials, achieve improved efficacy at the inbreeding stage, and streamline and accelerate the process of GCA and SCA evaluation using molecular markers and other biotechnology methods in order to achieve breeding goals. Seed oil content should be increased to over 55% using recurrent selection methods. Special focus in breeding programs should be placed on the development of high-oleic hybrids (>95%) with a high genetic potential for oil yield, resistance to the dominant diseases, and wide environmental adaptability that would be used for industrial purposes (production of biodiesel, or hydrogen). In order to extent the duration of sunflower oil stability, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols should be incorporated instead of alpha ones alongside the Ol genes. The exiting genetic variability of the cultivated sunflower makes it possible to develop hybrids with a genetic potential for seed yield of over 6 t/ha and seed oil content of over 55%. Most often, however, sunflower yields obtained in large-scale commercial sunflower production are in the 1.5-3.0 t/ha range. There are multiple limiting factors preventing the realization of the high genetic potential of this crop. Their removal will enable commercial sunflower yield to stabilize at levels of 4 t/ha and above. Diseases are the main limiting factor affecting sunflower production in all sunflower-growing parts of the world. Development of exotic germplasm through further use of wild sunflower species, distant hybridization and genetic transformations should be used to provide genes for resistance to all dominant pathogens and broomrape. Efficient breeding methods should be employed to increase sunflower tolerance of air and soil drought and salinity and to attain wider resistance to herbicides.

The development of new high-yielding and stable sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization requires information on the heterotic effects for agronomically important traits in the F, generation. Heterotic effects for seed yield, plant height and head diameter were studied in interspecific sunflower hybrids developed by the line x tester method. The female inbred lines were developed by interspecific hybridization, while the male restorer inbreds with good combining abilities were used as testers in the form of fertility restorers. F, hybrids were obtained by crossing each tester with each female inbred. The inbred lines and their F, hybrids differed significantly in their mean values of the traits under study. Heterosis values for seed yield per plant were positive and highly significant relative to both the parental mean (98.4-274.1%) and the better parent (54.8-223.2%). Significantly less heterosis was recorded in the case of plant height relative to parental mean (19.0-66.0%) and better parent (-3.9-51.6%). With head diameter, the heterotic effect ranged from 19.0 to 55.6% (parental mean) and from 7.8 to 36.6% (better parent). The results of this study may be used for the development of new high-yielding and stable sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization. Stvaranje visoko prinosnih i stabilnih hibrida suncokreta na bazi interspecijes hibridizacije zahteva posedovanje informacije o efektu heterozisa za agronomski važna svojstva u F, generaciji. Efekat heterozisa za prinos semena. visinu biljke i prečnik glave proučavan je kod interspecijes hibrida nastalih ukrštanjem primenom linija x tester metoda. Inbred linije majke nastale su interspecijes hibridizacijom, a restorer inbred linije oca dobrih kombinacionih sposobnosti korišćene su kao testeri u formi restauratora fertilnosti. Hibridi F1 generacije nastali su ukrštanjem svakog testera sa svakom inbred linijom majke. Vrednosti heterozisa za prinos semena po biljci bile su pozitivne i visoko značajne u odnosu na roditeljski prosek (98.4-274.1%) i u odnosu na boljeg roditelja (54.8-223.2%). Znatno niži efekat heterozisa ustanovljen je za visinu biljke (19.0-66.0%) u odnosu na roditeljski prosek i u odnosu na boljeg roditelja (6.1-51.6%). Kod prečnika glave vrednosti heterozisa su se kretale od 19.0% do 74.7% u odnosu na roditeljski prosek i od 11.6-36.6% u odnosu na boljeg roditelja.

The main goals of sunflower breeding in Yugoslavia and abroad are increased seed yield and oil content per unit area and increased resistance to diseases, insects and stress conditions via an optimization of plant architecture. In order to determine the mode of inheritance, gene effects and correlations of total leaf number per plant, total leaf area and plant height, six genetically divergent inbred lines of sunflower were subjected to half diallel crosses. Significant differences in mean values of all the traits were found in the F1 and F2 generations. Additive gene effects were more important in the inheritance of total leaf number per plant and plant height, while in the case of total leaf area per plant the nonadditive ones were more important looking at all the combinations in the F1 and F2 generations. The average degree of dominance (Hi/D)1/2 was lower than one for total leaf number per plant and plant height, so the mode of inheritance was partial dominance, while with total leaf area the value was higher than one, indicating super dominance as the mode of inheritance. Significant positive correlation was found: between total leaf area per plant and total leaf number per plant (0.285*) and plant height (0.278*). The results of the study are of importance for further sunflower breeding work. Oplemenjivanje suncokreta u svetu i kod nas usmereno je na povećanje prinosa semena i sadržaja ulja po jedinici površine, otpornosti prema bolestima insektima i stresnim. uslovima optimalizacijom arhitekture biljke. U cilju utvrđivanja načina nasleđivanja, efekta gena i međuzavisnosti ukupnog broja listova po biljci, ukupne lisne površine po biljci i visine biljke, izvršena su dialelna ukrštanja isključujući recipročna sa šest genetski divergentnih inbred linija suncokreta. Dobijene su signifikantne razlike u srednjim vrednostima za sva ispitivana svojstva F1 i F2 generaciji. Aditivni efekat gena je bio od većeg značaja u nasleđivanju ukupnog broja listova po biljci i visini biljke dok je neaditivni efekat gena bio značajniji kod ukupne lisne površine po biljci uzevši u obzir sve kombinacije ukrštanja u F1 i F2 generaciji. Prosečan stepen dominacije (H1/D)1/2 je kod ukupnog broja listova po biljci i visine biljke manji od jedinice iz toga se može zaključiti da je način nasleđivanja parcijalna dominacija, a kod ukupne lisne površine je veći od jedinice što ukazuje na superdominaciju. Značajna pozitivna međuzavisnost ustanovljena je između ukupne lisne površine po biljci i ukupnog broja listova po biljci (0.285*), visine biljke (0.278*). Rezultati ovih istraživanja imaće značaja u daljem radu na oplemenjivanju suncokreta.

Sunflower is the main crop species for the production of edible oil in many countries of the world, including ours. Plant height and head size, form and position on the stem as well as the number of leaves, their size, duration and distribution on the plant all play an important role in defining optimal plant architecture in sunflower hybrids (Škorić, 1975, 1989, 2002). In order to monitor the mode of inheritance and gene effects for head diameter in the F1 and F2 generations, half diallel crosses were made in six genetically divergent sunflower inbreds. The mean values of the trait in question differed significantly. The mode of inheritance of head diameter in the F1 generation was superdominance in all but four crosses, which had dominance instead. In the F2 generation, on the other hand, the prevailing mode was dominance, while superdominance was recorded in four cases. The dominant component accounted for the bulk of genetic variance, and the mode of inheritance of head diameter taking into account both the F1 and F2 generations was superdominance. These findings may prove valuable for developing high-yielding sunflower genotypes. Suncokret je u mnogim zemljama u svetu i kod nas osnovna biljka za proizvodnju jestivog ulja. Visina biljke, veličina, forma i položaj glave na stablu, broj listova, njihova veličina, trajanje i raspored na biljci imaju važnu ulogu u definisanju optimalne arhitekture hibrida suncokreta (Škorić 1975; 1989; 2002). U cilju praćenja načina nasleđivanja i efekta gena prečnika glave suncokreta u F1 i F2 generaciji izvršena su dialelna ukrštanja isključujući recipročna sa šest genetski divergentnim inbred linijama suncokreta. Dobijene su značajne razlike u srednjim vrednostima za ispitivano svojstvo. Prečnik glave se u F1 generaciji nasleđivao superdominantno jedino se u četiri ukrštanja javila dominacija, dok se u F2 generaciji nasleđivao dominantno, a superdominacija se zadržala u četiri kombinacije. Glavni deo genetske varijanse čini dominantna komponenta, a način nasleđivanja prečnika glave je superdominacija uzevši u obzir sve kombinacije ukrštanja u obe generacije (F1 i F2). Ova istraživanja mogu biti od značaja u stvaranju visoko prinosnih genotipova suncokreta.

The development of sunflower hybrids with high genetic potential for seed and oil yields requires information on the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for plant height and head diameter in the F1 generation. Used in this study were thirteen new divergent cms inbred lines (A), three Rf restorers utilized as testers, and their F1 hybrids. The inbred A-lines, Rf-testers and F1 hybrids differed significantly in the mean values for plant height and head diameter. The mode of inheritance for plant height was superdominance of the better parent and for head diameter it was dominance and superdominance of the better parent. Highly significant positive values of GCA for both traits were found in cms inbred line NS-G-7 and restorer line RHA-N-49. Based on the GCA values chosen were lines with the best GCA for plant height (NS-G-9, NS-G-7) originating from PRA-RUN and head diameter (NS-G-13, NS-G-12) originating from DES. The greatest highly significant positive SCA value was found in NS-G-1xRHA-N-49 for plant height and in NS-G-8xRUS-RF-OL-168 for head diameter. Non-additive genetic variance played the main role in the inheritance of both traits as confirmed by the GCA/SCA ratios in the F1 generation, which were invariably smaller than unit. The female A lines had the highest contribution to the expression of head diameter and plant height. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31025]

SUMMARY Four interspecies populations, originating from three annual (H. debilis, H. praecox, H. deserticola) and one perennial (H. resinosus) wild species, were used to produce 13 new (cms) inbred lines with cytoplasmic male sterility, three Rf restorer lines with good general combining ability used as testers and their F1 hybrids. A two-year trial with three replicates was set up using the line × tester method. The inbred A-lines, Rf-testers and F1 hybrids differed significantly in the mean values for both studied traits. The mode of inheritance for leaf area was dominance and superdominance of the better parent and for plant height it was superdominance of the better parent. Highly significant positive values of general combining ability for both traits were found in inbred lines NS-G-7, NS-G-8, NS-G-9. The greatest highly significant positive specific combining ability value was found in NS-G-6 × RUS-Rf-OL-168 for the total leaf area per plant and in NS-G-6 × RHA-N-49 for plant height. The non-additive gene effect had greater influence on both traits. A significant heterotic effect was found for both traits in relation to the parental average so as in relation to the better parent.

Discovery of tribenuron-methyl resistant wild Helianthus annuus L. population (ANN-KAN) created an opportunity for expansion of sunflower herbicide resistance breeding program. The aim of this study was development of sunflower hybrids resistant to tribenuron-methyl. Creation of tribenuron-methyl resistant hybrids would enable the use of a wider palette of herbicides for sunflower, more efficient chemical control of Cirsium arvense and more economically profitable post-emergence control of some annual broad-leaves weeds in sunflower. Original populations SURES-1 and SURES-2 are homozygous for resistance to tribenuron-methyl. F1 generations produced from the crossings are completely resistant to tribenuron-methyl, pointing out to dominant way of inheritance of this trait. Studies on the exact number of genes controlling the resistance are in progress. Tribenuron-methyl resistance was transferred from original populations into a number of female and male inbred lines of cultivated sunflower. These inbred lines could enable creation of a number of hybrids resistant to tribenuron-methyl. Hybrids SUMO-1-PR, SUMO-2- OR and SUMO-3 are resistant to doubled application dose of tribenuron-methyl. Agronomical characteristics of these hybrids are on the level with the leading conventional sunflower hybrids. Otkrićem populacije divljeg Helianthus annuus L. (ANN-KAN) otporne prema tribenuron-metilu stvorena je mogućnost proširenja programa oplemenjivanja suncokreta na tolerantnost na herbicide. Cilj ovog rada je bio stvaranje hibrida suncokreta tolerantnih na tribenuron-metil. Stvaranje hibrida tolerantnih na tribenuron-metil proširilo bi paletu herbicida u suncokretu, omogućilo efikasnije suzbijanje palamide (Cirsium arvense) i ekonomski povoljnije suzbijanje nekih jednogodišnjih širokolisnih korova posle nicanja u suncokretu. Izvorne populacije SURES-1 i SURES-2 su homozigotno tolerantne na tribenuron-metil. Dobijene F1 generacije su u potpunosti tolerantne na tribenuron-metil što ukazuje na dominantan način nasleđivanja. Istraživanja tačnog broja gena koji kontrolišu ovu otpornost su u toku. Otpornost prema tribenuron-metilu je iz izvornih populacija preneta u veći broj majčinskih i restorer samooplodnih linija suncokreta. Na osnovu ovih linija moguće je stvaranje većeg broja hibrida tolerantnih na tribenuron-metil. Hibridi SUMO-1- PR, SUMO-2-OR i SUMO-3 su tolerantni na dvostruku praktičnu koncentraciju po hektaru tribenuron-metila. Ovi hibridi su po svojim agronomskim karakteristikama na nivou vodećih hibrida koji se nalaze u širokoj proizvodnji.

Path coefficient analysis was used to separate direct and indirect effects of studied traits on seed oil content and seed yield, and to identify traits that could be used as selection criteria in sunflower breeding. Significant and highly significant correlations were found between most of the examined traits. Highly significant negative correlations have been established between stem diameter, total leaf area per plant, head diameter and 1,000-seed weight on one side and seed oil content on the other. Highly significant positive correlations have been established between seed yield on one side and stem diameter, total leaf area per plant, head diameter, total number of seeds per head, and the 1,000-seed weight on the other. The weight of 1,000 seeds had a highly significant direct negative effect on seed oil content and a highly significant direct positive effect on seed yield. The total number of seeds per head has demonstrated a highly significant direct positive effect on seed yield and oil content. The total leaf number per plant has demonstrated a significant direct positive effect on seed yield. A path coefficient analysis of seed yield at phenotypic level indicated that maximum direct effects were shownby the weight of 1,000 seeds, total number of seeds per head and total leaf number per plant. The total number of seeds per head was the most important trait that determined seed yield and oil content. The obtained results can be used in sunflower breeding programs aimed at the development of sunflower hybrids that combine high genetic potentials for seed yield and seed oil content.

SUMMARY Sunflower is attacked by more than 40 different diseases of which only a certain number causes serious reduction of seed yield. One of the most damaging diseases is downy mildew, which is caused by the fungus Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. et de Toni (syn. Plasmopara helianthi Novot.). Sunflower downy mildew has great economic importance in all countries where sunflower is grown. When the meteorological conditions during the vegetation period of sunflower become favourable for disease development, the damages produce considerable reducing of the seed yield and the oil content. The best way of controlling the fungus is to grow resistant cultivars and because of that the major objective of this study was to develop sunflower genotypes genetically resistant to dominant races of downy mildew in Serbia. During this work two co-dominant CAPS markers for Pl6 gene were developed which can also be used for Pl7 gene. For introduction of these genes in breeding program marker assisted selection (MAS) was used. Developed commercial sunflower inbred lines exhibit resistance to all known races of downy mildew in Serbia indicated incorporation of resistance to downy mildew in well-known and widely produced hybrids. Besides that, Pl-genes were introduced to a large number of new inbred lines and new downy mildew resistant hybrids. These new hybrids reach higher seed and oil yields then hybrids widely produced.

One of the directions in sunflower breeding is the selection for resistance to broomrape. The population of broomrape has been stable in Serbia for a long period of time, but the racial composition has changed in recent years, with race E being predominant in the regions of north Backa and Banat. Cultivated sunflower is genetically narrow and deficient in many desirable genes. Its genetic variability can be increased by the use of wild sunflower species and interspecific hybridization. The resistance to broomrape in 15 new experimental hybrids was tested on locations in Serbia (Pacir) during three years (2006, 2007 and 2008) and in Romania (Baragan, Braila) during 2008. These hybrids were produced by crossing female inbred lines (Ha-26PR-A, PH-BC2-92-A and Ha-98-A) susceptible to broomrape race E and new Rf inbred lines (RHA-D-2, RHA-D-5, RHA-D- 6, RHA-D-7, RHA-D-8), developed from interspecific populations originating from H. deserticola and resistant to race E. All examined hybrids were resistant to broomrape in both locations. Since broomrape race F is present in the location in Romania, it is expected that the new Rf inbred lines - male components of the examined hybrids, possess the resistance gene for race F also.

SUMMARY Significant manifestation of heterosis for agronomically important traits is the main precondition for obtaining productive sunflower hybrids (Skoric et al., 2006). Development of high-yielding and stable sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization requires knowledge of heterotic effects occurring in the F1 generation. Heterosis for seed yield per plant, total seed number per head and 1,000-seed weight was studied in interspecific hybrids obtained by the line × tester method. The seven female inbred lines used in the study had been developed by interspecific hybridization, while the three male restorer inbreds with good combining abilities were used as testers in the form of fertility restorers. Twenty-one F1 hybrids were obtained by crossing each tester with each female inbred line. A trial with the lines and F1 hybrids was set up at Rimski Sancevi. Experiment Field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad using a randomized block design with three replications. Our study found significant differences in the mean values of all the traits under investigation. Heterosis values for seed yield were positive and highly significant relative to parental average (98.4-274.1%) as well as better parent (55.8-223.2%). Considerably less heterosis was found for total seed number per head (69.6-203.7%) relative to parental average and better parent (47.6-183.3%). With 1,000-seed mass, the values ranged between 26.5% and 48.8% relative to parental average and from -42.4% to 30.9% relative to better parent. This study could prove useful in the development of new high-yielding sunflower hybrids based on interspecific hybridization.