RECENT PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN SUNFLOWER BREEDING

The cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annus) - just like other Helianthus species - is highly recalcitrant with regard to an application of biotechnology, i.e. cell and tissue culture techniques in vitro. Although substantial progress has been made during recent years, e.g. in embryo, tissue and anther culture, several problems still deserve future research activities in this field. Further improvements are particularly required with regard to the regeneration frequencies of somatic and gametic (haploid) cells and tissue. For an advantageous application of androgenetic doubled haploids ("haploidy technique") and of interspecific hybrids in sunflower breeding programmes more efficient chromosome doubling techniques must be developed. Furthermore, a better characterization and description of sunflower and wild Helianthus species including their biochemical and molecular genetics is required. And, finally, applicable techniques for the successful and stable genetic transformation of intact sunflower plants have to be worked out for an application in future breeding programmes.