A Flow Cytometry-Based Assessment of the Nuclear DNA Content and Ploidy Level of Wild Sunflower Species

Year 2025, Volume: 30 Issue: 1, 110 - 120, 23.06.2025

Yalcin Kaya , Gülsemin Savaş Tuna , Necmi Beşer , Metin Tuna

https://doi.org/10.17557/tjfc.1650798

Abstract

Sunflower genus (Helianthus spp.), native to the North America, includes 37 perennials and 14 annual species, many of which possess valuable genes related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance that can enhance yield and yield-related traits in cultivated sunflower. However, it is crucial to characterize wild species to incorporate these beneficial traits into breeding programs. The study aim was to determine the nuclear DNA content of 133 sunflower accessions representing 52 species of the genus by flow cytometer, and use the obtained information to determine their ploidy levels and verify their taxonomic identities. Based on flow cytometrical analysis, nuclear DNA content of the individual plants and the average values of accessions of the same species, generally showed a high degree of similarity except some cases. However, the average 2C nuclear DNA content of Helianthus species was estimated to range from 5.61 pg (H. porteri) to 27.05 pg (H. tuberosus). The differences among the species were statistically important. Based on the study results, it was determined that approximately 80% (41 species) of the wild species (15 annuals, 26 perennials) are diploid. The ploidy level of the remaining species exhibited variability and 12 species were tetraploid (4x) while 2 species were hexaploid (6x). The study results indicated that some accessions of some species were either identified incorrectly or they are progenies of natural interspecific hybrids. The results of the study confirm that flow cytometer can be used in characterization of the sunflower genetic resources before include them in breeding programs.

Keywords

Helianthus , Wild sunflowers , Flow cytometry , Nuclear DNA content , Ploidy

Ethical Statement

No

Supporting Institution

Trakya University and TUBITAK

Project Number

The study results were funded by Trakya University with TUBAP 2020/62 project and by TUBITAK with 119O218 project

Thanks

We would like to thank to Trakya University and TUBITAK for financial supports.

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