Detection of restorer (Rf/rf) alleles by molecular marker assisted selection in sunflower breeding

In sunflower breeding, it was aimed to determine the plants carrying the maintainer and restorer (Rf) nucleus by molecular marker assisted selection. In domestic hybrid sunflower breeding, molecular marker-assisted selection was be used to determine the codominant SCAR and its dominant markers Rf1/rf1 alleles specified for the detection of plants carrying maintainer and restorer (Rf) nucleus. In order to develop a B line, 50% rfrf and 50% Rfrf backcross population obtained in backcrossing studies with plants carrying Rfrf nucleus that are heterozygous for group B plants carrying fertile cytoplasm and also heterozygous Rfrf group B plants will self-introduce F2 genotypic expansions (BCnF2) in the RfRf, Rfrf, and rfrf genotypes. In order to determine the plants in this rfrf genotype, test crosses made and in the next generation, the flowers in the F1 progeny was tested under suitable climatic conditions and was separated. At the same time, molecular markers that distinduish Rf/rf will be used to check whether the desired genotypes could be determined accurately and efficiently with the markers. In other words, it is not possible to detect the status of the Rf/rf alleles in the nucleus of the maintainer (B) lines, since their cytoplasm is fertile. Rf/rf status in the nucleus of B lines can only be understood by test crossing into sterile (A) lines and observing whether the obtained F1 plants are grown and whether they are sterile or fertile. Detection of Rf/rf alleles in B lines with molecular markers is important to reduce both cost and breeding time.