Variability of protein and oil contents in F1 sunflower hybrids and inheritance patterns

Abstract

The aim and tasks of the study. To establish inheritance patterns of protein and oil contents in F₁ hybrid kernels of confectionery sunflower, to select valuable lines and to create, on this basis, confectionery hybrids.

Material and methods. The investigations were carried out in the scientific crop rotation fields of the Plant Production Institute nd. a VYa Yuryev NAAS in 2012-2013. Protein and oil contents in kernels of lines - parents and hybrids derived by crossing these lines were analyzed (protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method; oil component - by Rushkovsky method). Oil content in achenes was determined on a NMR analyzer (Oxford Instruments MQC 5).

Results and discussion. In the study years, the protein and oil contents in sunflower kernels were influenced both genotype and by weather conditions during the growing season. The protein content in kernels of self-pollinated lines varied from 19 to 32%, and the oil content - from 49 to 64% during the study (2012-2013). The protein and oil contents in hybrid kernels had big from-year-to-year differences and were 18.01-28.27% and 52.44-65.30%, respectively, in 2012; 17.07-25.12% and 58.50-67.12%? respectively, in 2013. Among the studied combinations, we could distinguish several combinations that meet the requirements to confectionery raw materials by protein and oil contents in kernels: Skh51 A / Kh in 1316, Skh51 A / Kh 736 V, Skh51 A / Kh 279 V, KP11 A / Kh 279 V, KP11 A / Kh 1316 V, KP11 A / Kh 436 V. Most of the test hybrids derived by crossing a set of self-pollinated lines belong to oil and highly oil classes according to the indices of interest.

To study the nature of inheritance of the studied traits in F₁ hybrids, we used the index of the dominance degree (hp). We found that in hybrid combinations with highly protein parents no heterosis for protein content in kernels was observed. In 2012, the nature of inheritance of this trait was defined as either intermediate inheritance or as dominance of a worse or better parent. Under favorable for vegetation conditions in 2013, we observed depression or dominance of a worse parent. For the content of oil in kernels of confectionery sunflower hybrids, either heterosis or dominance of a better parent was noticed. The nature of inheritance of oil content in achenes slightly changed in the study years. There was a relationship between this parameter and huskness of lines and hybrids. Hybrids with lower huskness (female form Skh51 A) exhibited heterosis; hybrids with higher huskness (female form KP11 A) - intermediate inheritance of oil content in achenes.

Conclusions. The studies showed that the quality parameters of inbred lines and hybrids generated by crossing them varied widely and depended both on hereditary characteristics and on the growing conditions. Given the nature of inheritance of protein content in kernels (mainly depression and dominance of a worse parent), high-protein parents should be used to obtaine confectionary hybrids. The best self-pollinated lines, which can be used in heterosis breeding of confectionery sunflower, were distinguished.