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Natural hybrids between cultivated and wild sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) in Argentina

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Abstract

Two introduced wild species Helianthus annuus L. and H. petiolaris Nutt. have become widespread in central Argentina and overlap the sunflower crop region. Intermediate off-type plants between the wild and cultivated species are often found, which is of concern because of the recent release of imidazolinone resistant varieties and the likely use of genetically modified sunflower cultivars. The progeny of 33 off-type plants obtained from 14 representative sites of the diffusion area were studied to confirm hybrid origin. Germination, survival, morphological traits and days to flowering confirmed hybridization between crop and both wild species, when compared to eight accessions of typical wild plants. Some progenies were presumably crop–wild H. annuus hybrids, some originated from the cross of cultivated plants and H. petiolaris, and two were the advanced generation of a cultivated hybrid. Hence, morphological traits are a good clue for the identification of spontaneous hybrid plants at field. The results indicate that crop–wild hybridization and introgression occur at various places in central Argentina. This fact may represent a way to herbicide resistance escape and future transgene escape if GM sunflower cultivars are released for commercial use.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank to the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET) for a fellowship to MSU. Statistical help from S. Luis and A. Hernandez is greatly appreciated. This research was supported by grants ANPCYT-PICT 08-9881 and UNS-PGI 24A106.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

    Maria Soledad Ureta, Miguel Cantamutto, Alicia Carrera & Monica Poverene

  2. CERZOS-CONICET, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

    Maria Soledad Ureta & Monica Poverene

  3. EEA INTA Pergamino, Pergamino, Argentina

    Carla Delucchi

Authors
  1. Maria Soledad Ureta
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  2. Miguel Cantamutto
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  3. Alicia Carrera
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  4. Carla Delucchi
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  5. Monica Poverene
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Correspondence to Maria Soledad Ureta.

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Ureta, M.S., Cantamutto, M., Carrera, A. et al. Natural hybrids between cultivated and wild sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) in Argentina. Genet Resour Crop Evol 55, 1267–1277 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-008-9326-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-008-9326-x

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