Editorial Material
Biology
Jason Laurich, Anna M. O'Brien
Summary: In the common sunflower, the patterns of UV-absorbing pigments are controlled by a newly identified regulatory region and can be influenced by environmental factors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khalida Hamid Abbasi, Muhammad Jamal, Saboor Ahmad, Hamed A. Ghramh, Saeeda Khanum, Khalid Ali Khan, Muhammad Arshad Ullah, Dalal M. Aljedani, Bushra Zulfiqar
Summary: Increasing the number of beehives can improve sunflower yield and economic returns, with A. mellifera being the primary pollinator. Pollination density and economic yield are positively correlated with the number of beehives.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ettore Riccucci, Cosimo Vanni, Alberto Vangelisti, Marco Fambrini, Tommaso Giordani, Andrea Cavallini, Flavia Mascagni, Claudio Pugliesi
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the WOX family in sunflower, a member of the Asteraceae family. Through phylogenetic analysis, 18 putative HaWOX genes were identified and classified into three major clades. These genes show conserved structural and functional motifs and are evenly distributed on sunflower chromosomes. Gene expression analysis reveals a specific pattern of regulation during embryo growth and meristem differentiation, suggesting a pivotal role for the HaWOX family in sunflower development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cui Li, Linlin Wang, Jingtao Wu, F. Pax C. Blamey, Nina Wang, Yanlong Chen, Yin Ye, Lei Wang, David J. Paterson, Thea L. Read, Peng Wang, Enzo Lombi, Yuheng Wang, Peter M. Kopittke
Summary: This study investigated the translocation of foliar-applied zinc in sunflower leaves using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and transcriptome analysis. The results showed that the distribution of zinc changed over time, with initial accumulation in the epidermal layers and subsequent movement to the vascular tissues. Transcriptome analysis revealed genes involved in stress response, cell wall reinforcement, and binding. These findings are of significance for improving the efficiency of foliar zinc fertilizers.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad, Alia Riffat, Mumtaz Hussain, Mansoor Hameed, Ambreen Khadija Alvi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of nickel application on physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower cultivars grown in sand culture. Results showed that increasing nickel concentration significantly decreased vegetative parameters and photosynthetic attributes, while low levels of nickel improved growth attributes to some extent. The study also found that high nickel concentration had negative effects on leaf water potential, osmotic potentials, and relative water contents, but increased leaf turgor potential and membrane permeability. Hysun-33 exhibited higher tolerance to nickel stress compared to SF-187.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdul Qadir, Sergii Skakun, Jaemin Eun, Meghavi Prashnani, Leonid Shumilo
Summary: The interaction between sunflower and microwave signal is still not fully understood. Our analysis reveals differences in the backscattering response of sunflower in the ascending and descending orbits for VV polarization and VH/VV polarization ratio due to the directional behavior of the flower head. We found that VH/VVdes is a preferable parameter for identifying sunflower phenological stages.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Shehzad, Rao Samran Gul, Saeed Rauf, Wellington Ronildo Clarindo, Jameel Mohammed Al-Khayri, Muhammad Mubashar Hussain, Hassan Munir, Mehdi Ghaffari, Shahid Nazir, Majid Hussain
Summary: Research on the screening of sunflower germplasm in hydroponic systems demonstrates that the newly designed system provides better growth conditions, making the selection of drought and heat-resistant germplasm more efficient.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gabriel Ceccoli, Sergio Andres Granados Ortiz, Melina Soledad Buttarelli, Maria Laura Pisarello, Fernando Felipe Munoz, Lucas Damian Daurelio, Carlos Alberto Bouzo, Elisa Soledad Panigo, Adrian Alejandro Perez
Summary: Salinity has significant effects on sunflower yield, oil content, and quality. Different sunflower genotypes show variability in response to salinity, with SRM779CL demonstrating better tolerance. The number of achenes per plant is the main component contributing to tolerance. Salinity increases unsaturation percentage in all genotypes.
ANNALS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Huiying Lu, Ziqi Wang, Chenyang Xu, Luhao Li, Chunwu Yang
Summary: Sunflower exhibits strong alkali tolerance. Alkali stress alters the lipid components of sunflower seeds, potentially affecting the quality of sunflower seed oils. Alkali stress promotes the accumulation of various substances in sunflower roots. Interaction of multiple phytohormones and bioactive molecules play a role in mediating alkali tolerance in sunflower.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bartholomew Saanu Adeleke, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Summary: This study investigated the endophytic bacterial community structure of sunflower plants at the growing stage, revealing dominant bacterial species in the root and stem. The diversity of bacterial communities in plant organs across different sites was significantly different, with observed influences of soil physical and chemical parameters on bacterial distribution. The study provides insight into the potential use of these bacteria as bioinoculants for enhancing agricultural yields in the future.
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guillermo A. A. Dosio, Giselle M. A. Martinez-Noel, Leonela A. Garcia, M. Eugenia Giorgi, Jorge A. Tognetti
Summary: Sunflowers are considered non-fructan bearing plants, but research has shown that they can synthesize fructans under certain conditions. This finding has significant implications for breeding and management of sunflower crops.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nabin K. Dangal, Hossein M. Rekabdarkolaee, Samuel G. Markell, Robert M. Harveson, Febina M. Mathew
Summary: Phomopsis stem canker significantly reduces sunflower yield and no management recommendations have been developed for U.S. farmers. A study conducted fungicide trials from 2009 to 2020 and found that quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides were moderately effective, while premixes of demethylation inhibitors (DMI), succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI), and QoI were largely effective in controlling the disease. The study also suggested that the use of QoI fungicides is likely to be profitable in the presence of Phomopsis stem canker.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zahirul I. Talukder, William Underwood, Christopher G. Misar, Gerald J. Seiler, Xiwen Cai, Xuehui Li, Lili Qi
Summary: This study investigated the resistance against basal stalk rot (BSR) caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in cultivated sunflower, introgressed from the wild sunflower Helianthus praecox ssp. runyonii. The research identified 19 BSR resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) on nine sunflower chromosomes, with 16 of them deriving resistant alleles from H. praecox parent. These findings provide genetic markers for marker-assisted breeding to combat BSR in sunflower.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ashley C. C. Barstow, Jarrad R. R. Prasifka, Ziv Attia, Nolan C. C. Kane, Brent S. S. Hulke
Summary: This study identified major loci associated with nectar volume variation in sunflower using genetic mapping. Increased nectar volume was found to be associated with increased sugars and total energy per floret. Candidate genes on chromosomes were found to be homologous to genes with nectary function in Arabidopsis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Gonzalo J. Arata, Mailen A. Riveira-Rubin, Diego Batlla, Maria Veronica Rodriguez
Summary: This study reveals considerable intraspecific variability for dormancy attributes among cultivated sunflowers, mainly manifested in differences in dormancy expression patterns and release rates among different genotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tal J. Shalev, Omnia Gamal El-Dien, Macaire M. S. Yuen, Shu Shengqiang, Shaun D. Jackman, Rene L. Warren, Lauren Coombe, Lise van der Merwe, Ada Stewart, Lori B. Boston, Christopher Plott, Jerry Jenkins, Guifen He, Juying Yan, Mi Yan, Jie Guo, Jesse W. Breinholt, Leandro G. Neves, Jane Grimwood, Loren H. Rieseberg, Jeremy Schmutz, Inanc Birol, Matias Kirst, Alvin D. Yanchuk, Carol Ritland, John H. Russell, Joerg Bohlmann
Summary: This study assembled the genome of western redcedar and found it to be genetically depauperate, yet capable of responding to natural and artificial selection. The genome assembly, one of the most complete for a conifer species, provides insights into the genetic characteristics of this ecologically and economically important tree.
Article
Biology
Lucie Mahaut, Samuel Pironon, Jean-Yves Barnagaud, Francois Bretagnolle, Colin K. K. Khoury, Zia Mehrabi, Ruben Milla, Charlotte Phillips, Loren H. H. Rieseberg, Cyrille Violle, Delphine Renard
Summary: Humans have moved crops from their regions of origin to new locations, causing differences between crop distributions and their climate suitability. These differences are important for developing agricultural strategies to adapt to climate change. Study findings show that high-income regions have a better match between crop distribution and climate suitability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vanessa C. Bieker, Paul Battlay, Bent Petersen, Xin Sun, Jonathan Wilson, Jaelle C. Brealey, Francois Bretagnolle, Kristin Nurkowski, Chris Lee, Fatima Sanchez Barreiro, Gregory L. Owens, Jacqueline Y. Lee, Fabian L. Kellner, Lotte van Boheeman, Shyam Gopalakrishnan, Myriam Gaudeul, Heinz Mueller-Schaerer, Suzanne Lommen, Gerhard Karrer, Bruno Chauvel, Yan Sun, Bojan Kostantinovic, Love Dalen, Peter Poczai, Loren H. Rieseberg, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Kathryn A. Hodgins, Michael D. Martin
Summary: The study reveals selection signatures in defense genes and lower prevalence of plant pathogens in invasive European populations of Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed). It also suggests that changes in population structure associated with introgression from closely related species have contributed to the plant's success as an invasive species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregory L. Owens, Kaichi Huang, Marco Todesco, Loren H. Rieseberg
Summary: In this study, whole-genome resequencing was used to conduct a phylogenomic analysis of annual sunflowers. The results showed evidence of hybridization during the radiation of the genus, with hybridization and introgression contributing to discordant topologies. Furthermore, the study revealed the ancient origins of three putative hybrid species and the widespread presence of introgression across the Helianthus genus.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
April M. Goebl, Nolan C. Kane, Daniel F. Doak, Loren H. Rieseberg, Kate L. Ostevik
Summary: Studying conspecific populations living in different microenvironments is important for understanding natural selection. In this study, two sunflower ecotypes in different habitats were investigated to estimate fitness and allele frequency change at different life stages. It was found that habitat- and life stage-specific selection contribute to the maintenance of divergent adaptation between populations.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Loren Rieseberg, Emily Warschefsky, Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos, Nolan C. Kane, Kiimberley Thresher, Benjamin Sibbett
Article
Ecology
Kaede Hirabayashi, Gregory L. Owens
Summary: Chromosomal inversions are important for adaptation, but the rate at which inversions accumulate and the factors that affect this rate are not well understood. Using whole-genome assemblies for 32 plant genera, this study finds that species accumulate 4-25 inversions per million generations on average, but the rate varies greatly. There is no correlation between sequence divergence or repeat content and the number or proportion of inversions, and only a small correlation with chromosome size. Inversion regions are also found to have few genes and are enriched for TEs compared to the genome background, suggesting that idiosyncratic forces control inversion fixation rate.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan G. Bock, Jianquan Liu, Polina Novikova, Loren H. Rieseberg
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susan R. McCouch, Loren H. Rieseberg
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaichi Huang, Mojtaba Jahani, Jerome Gouzy, Alexandra Legendre, Sebastien Carrere, Jose Miguel Lazaro-Guevara, Eric Gerardo Gonzalez Segovia, Marco Todesco, Baptiste Mayjonade, Nathalie Rodde, Stephane Cauet, Isabelle Dufau, S. Evan Staton, Nicolas Pouilly, Marie-Claude Boniface, Camille Tapy, Brigitte Mangin, Alexandra Duhnen, Veronique Gautier, Charles Poncet, Cecile Donnadieu, Tali Mandel, Sariel Hubner, John M. Burke, Sonia Vautrin, Arnaud Bellec, Gregory L. Owens, Nicolas Langlade, Stephane Munos, Loren H. Rieseberg
Summary: This study analyzed the impacts of wild introgressions in cultivated sunflower on the genomic and phenotypic level, as well as the consequences of linkage drag. It was found that introgressions had negative effects on yield and quality traits, and high-frequency introgressions had larger effects than low-frequency ones.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan G. Bock, Zhe Cai, Cassandra Elphinstone, Eric Gonzalez-Segovia, Kaede Hirabayashi, Kaichi Huang, Graeme L. Keais, Amy Kim, Gregory L. Owens, Loren H. Rieseberg
Summary: Studies of plants have played a crucial role in understanding the origin and evolution of species. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technologies have allowed researchers to delve deeper into the mechanisms of plant speciation. By analyzing genomic divergence, researchers can identify genetic loci that contribute to reproductive isolation and highlight the importance of structural variants in speciation. Furthermore, genomics has provided new evidence supporting some routes to speciation while casting doubt on others. While genomics can accelerate the identification of genes related to reproductive isolation, follow-up experimental validation remains essential.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lexuan Gao, Michael B. Kantar, Dylan Moxley, Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos, Loren H. Rieseberg
Summary: The disciplines of evolutionary biology and plant and animal breeding have been intertwined, with artificial selection yielding insights into natural selection, and evolutionary biology guiding modern breeding. This article offers an evolutionary perspective on the challenge of feeding humanity in the face of climate change. Promising strategies to adapt crops to climate change include matching crop varieties with environments, optimizing breeding goals and practices, and exploring new technologies. Evolutionary approaches can enhance these strategies by reconstructing crop evolution, detecting and mitigating deleterious mutations, and improving adaptation to agricultural environments. Continuing collaboration between evolution and crop biology communities is crucial for adapting crops to climate change.
Review
Agronomy
Olivier Catrice, Srinidhi Holalu, Sreten Terzic, Marco Todesco, Nicole Creux, Nicolas B. B. Langlade
Summary: The first web conference on sunflower-pollinator interactions brought together the international community to discuss the importance of insect-mediated pollination for sunflower productivity and biodiversity. Climate change can impact sunflower-pollinator interactions by affecting both plant and pollinator behavior. Recent studies have shown that elevated temperatures and drought can have different effects on sunflower attributes and pollinator preferences. Implementing agricultural practices, such as planting flower strips and using hives, can enhance pollination efficiency and maintain optimal yields in the face of climate change.
OCL-OILSEEDS AND FATS CROPS AND LIPIDS
(2023)