The determination of interspecific hybrid combinations of some helianthus (Helianthus spp.) species and its seeding and morphological and phenological characterization

This study carried out between 2014-2015 at MAY Seed Thrace research station fields and cages in Tekirdağ, Turkey. Aims of the study were to investigate some wild Helianthus species's morphological, phenological and environmental characteristics, their chance to cross with cultivated sunflower lines, and to optain new breeding materials. Phenological features observed in the study were life cycles of wild species, growing season and flowering times. Some of the morphological characters observed based on UPOV criteria were hypocotyl, leaf, stem hairiness,·ray florets, bracts, plant hight, branching, head size and seeds etc. In total 40 characteristics were checked and some significant differences were observed between the species for some characters. Some observetions could not be carried out due to the insufficient seed amount of some of the starting materials and crosses made. To obtain F1 hybrid, 2 cultivated sunflower female lines crossed with 2 annual ( H. argophyllus / H. debilis subsp. cucumerifolius ) and 3 perennial ( H. maxmiliani / H. nuttallii subsp. rydbergii and H. tuberosus), in total 5 wild Helianthus species. Total of 10 F1 hybrid combinations were obtained. Among the cross combinations except 1 wild species (H. tuberosus), seeds obtained from all. The highest seed amount obtained from the crosses made with H. argophyllus.