MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS BETWEEN SUNFLOWER AND WILD HELIANTHUS SPECIES BASED ON DUS CHARACTERS

ABSTRACT: Interspecific hybrids of M106 (Helianthus annuus L.) with wild diploid perennial Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus occidentalis accessions were successful. Based on the guidelines formulated by PPV&FR (Plant Varietal Protection and Farmers Right) authority for the DUS character the observations were recorded for parent M-106 and the two inter specific F1 hybrids M-106 × MAX 1631, M-106 × OCC 52. The interspecific hybrids have annual life cycle with branching stem, and anthocyanin stem pigmentation was observed in the hybrids these characters indicate the two interspecific hybrids consist of genetic material from both cultivated and wild sunflower. Two to three backcrosses required to eliminate the undesirable traits of wild sunflower however, the backcrosses cannot be avoided as the presence of undesirable characters will not only hamper the quality but also reduce the commercial value of the crop. The objective of this paper is to describe the interspecific hybrids of cultivated and their potential for improving cultivated sunflower