Fida Hussain^1,*, Farooq Khan², Javed Ahmad¹, Heqiang Huo³, Tao Jiang³, Iqrar Rana⁴, Sajida Habib⁵, Muhammad Umer Farooq^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3231-3249, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.069654 - 29 October 2025

Abstract The analysis of combining ability and heterosis is very important in enhancing the yield and oil quality of sunflowers under adverse conditions, and it reveals the potential of the parents and the mechanism of gene action. In this study, twenty-one hybrids were developed by crossing seven cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines with three restorer lines and evaluated for agronomic and quality traits. Highly significant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were observed, confirming the role of both additive and non-additive gene actions. Among the tested crosses, A-42 × R-86, A-92 ×… More >

Antonela Markulj Kulundžić^1,*, Daniela Horvat², Marija Kovačević Babić², Anto Mijić¹, Aleksandra Sudarić¹, Maja Matoša Kočar¹, Tomislav Duvnjak¹, Ivica Liović¹, Ivana Varga³, Marija Viljevac Vuletić^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2075-2095, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065961 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Sunflower leaf photosynthesis strongly depends on the leaf position in the plant stem conditioning, which directly affects other physiological processes. Therefore, a study of the leaf’s physiological status regarding the leaf position in the stem was performed on sunflowers in the flowering stage. Eight differently positioned leaves were investigated, starting with the youngest leaf on the top of the stem to the leaves of the stem bottom, assigned as the oldest senescent leaves. According to chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) parameters connected to photosystem II (PSII) processes, significant changes in PSII functioning occurred only in the senescent… More >

Maryam Monazzah¹, Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi^1,*, Zohre Rabiei¹ and Alessandro Mattiello²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.88, No.2, pp. 149-159, 2019, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2019.05053

Abstract Helianthus annuus L. as an oil seed crop is widely grown throughout the world. One of the most destructive diseases of sunflower is stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Oxalic acid is the major virulence factor of this necrotrophic pathogen. It is important to further investigate plant responses to this non-specific toxin. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the patterns of total soluble proteins and xylem morphology of partially resistant and susceptible sunflower lines after treatment with Sclerotinia culture filtrate. The basal stems of both lines were treated with 40 mM oxalic acid (pH… More >

Hernández LF^1,2, PM Bellés³, MA Bidegain^4,5, PD Postemsky⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 198-208, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.198

Abstract Absence or underdevelopment of sunflower fruits come usually from failure in fertilization, stresses as well as physiological and morphological defects in the ovary. Thigmomorphogenesis has never been included as a possible cause. We have previously shown that a 2-3 day fertilization shift can occur between neighboring florets in the sunflower capitulum. It is proposed here that those ovaries with advanced fertilization can generate a significant radial and axial compressive stress on ovaries with delayed fertilization. This mechanical stimulus could be strong enough to trigger a thigmo response that affects further ovary development. In vivo tests… More >

Mirleau-Thebaud V^1,2, J Dayde¹, JD Scheiner^1,3,4

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.86, pp. 53-67, 2017, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2017.86.053

Abstract Soil compaction represents an important issue in the actual context of agricultural system sustainability. Research on the various developments of root systems under tillage has been explored for many crops, whether for the biomass area or the underground, but very little concerns Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The objectives of the study were to understand the impact of soil tillage and of the induced mechanically compacted soil on: i) sunflower’s root system architecture, ii) biomass area iii) production. Two complementary experiments were realized in the south of France (France’s main sunflower production area). In both experiments, increased More >

Hernández LF^1,2, MV Rosetti¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 291-296, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.291

Abstract The involucral bracts (IB or phyllaries) of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) capitulum constitute an example of photosynthesizing organs that contribute to the photosynthesis budget during the generation of crop yield. The anatomy of IB was analyzed in two domesticated primitive sunflower genotypes, Havasupai and Hopi, in the sunflower line HA89B, in the wild Helianthus annuus ssp. annuus, in the sunflower male-fertile line R013 and in the commercial hybrid DKOP3845. Stomata and trichomes were counted on the adaxial and abaxial epidermis. In all cases, the IB showed a one-layered adaxial and abaxial epidermis, secretory ducts and parenchymatic cells… More >

Ayerdi Gotor A^1,5*, M Berger¹, F Labalette², S Centis³, J Daydé¹, A Calmon^1,4

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 14-25, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.014

Abstract Sunflower oil is naturally rich in both unsaturated fatty acids and numerous minor components, with high levels of α-tocopherol and phytosterols that could play an important role in plant protection. These micronutriments, tocopherols and phytosterols, also exhibit health benefits for humans including reducing both cardiovascular diseases and aging disorders. α−Tocopherol represents more than 95% of total sunflower tocopherol and has the greatest vitaminic activity. Furthermore, this oil contains high amounts of β-sitosterol which is a promising health beneficial phytosterol. The objective of this study was to compare the content and composition of fatty acids, tocopherols More >

Piña-González JL¹, EJ Morales-Rosales², A Domíngez-López², JF Ramírez-Dávila², G Estrada-Campuzano², O Franco-Mora²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 101-108, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.101

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the land equivalent ratio, biomass, grain yield and ethereal extract of Helianthus annuus in monoculture and associated with Pisum sativum in function of stabilized urea (0, 40, 80 kg N/ha) in El Cerrillo, México. It was also estimated pod yield obtained by P. sativum as a pure stand and associated with H. annuus. The six treatments (in each experiment) were evaluated in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replications. When F values were significant, the honestly significant difference test at the 5%… More >

Astiz V¹, LF Hernández^2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 27-36, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.027

Abstract The intra-plant pollen production in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was quali- and quantitatively studied. Two modern self-pollinated, high oleic sunflower hybrids were grown during two consecutive seasons: 2009 in three planting dates, and 2010 in two planting dates. Two cross-pollinated varieties of sunflower, Hopi and Havasupai, were also studied to determine if an anomalous intracapitulum pollen gradient observed in preliminary studies could be a remnant character inherited from primitive genotypes. Pollen grains per flower (PGF), anther volume (AV), pollen grain volume (PGV) and pollen viability (PV) were measured in three capitulum sectors, external (ES), middle… More >

Astiz V¹, LF Hernández^2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.82, pp. 297-302, 2013, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2013.82.297

Abstract During microsporogenesis, sunflower florets might be exposed to episodes of day- and night-time temperatures exceeding 30 and 20 °C, respectively, that can affect pollen availability and consequently plant’s yield. The relationship between air temperature and relative humidity during the meiotic phase of microsporogenesis, and the quantity and quality of pollen produced by the flowers, were studied in two sunflower hybrids during two years. The hybrids were grown on irrigated plots in Bahía Blanca (38° 45’ S; 62° 11’ W) in three planting dates (PD) at a density of 5.6 plants/m2. Flowers were consecutively taken as… More >