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Maternal Control of Seed Oil Percentage in Sunflower¹

Whether maternal genotype or kernel genotype determines seed (achene) oil percentage in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was studied using cytoplasmic male-sterile and maintainer components of two oilseed and two nonoilseed (confectionery) inbred lines. Genotype the maternal parent controlled oil percentage, and the genotype of the pollen parent had no effect on this characteristic of F₁ seed. This was true for determinations made on whole seeds and on kernels alone.

Application of this knowledge in a breeding program means that controlled crosses to determine the value of the maternal genotype for oil production are unnecessary since open-pollinated seed accurately expresses the genetic potential of any maternal parent. The maternal control further suggests that selection for oil percentage among individual seeds on the same plant is not an effective breeding technique to change oil content.

Pollen parent effects on seed weight, test weight, and percent kernel of seed were also determined. Specific parental combinations and perhaps environment appeared to affect each of these three measuremenets, specially seed weight.

Key Words: Helianthus annuus L. • Breeding • Genetics • Seed genotypes • Oilseed sunflower • Nonoilseed sunflower • Confectionery sunflower

² Research geneticist, AR, SEA, USDA, Bushland, Tex.; former research geneticist, USDA, Fargo, N. Dak. (presently Research Director, Sigco Sun Products, Breckenridge, Minn.); former graduate fellow, Dep. of Agronomy, North Dakota State Univ., Fargo.

Received for publication February 1, 1979.

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