Sunflower is an important oilseed crop. Typically, new cultivars with improved agronomic traits are developed through conventional breeding program. Here, we describe a method of sunflower embryo rescue to accelerate trait introduction into plants. Further, weeds are a significant issue for the sunflower crop. However, there are not many selective herbicides for sunflower. Here, using the embryo rescue methodology, we further describe in vitro herbicidal section methodologies.

A new Helianthus plant named SUR67-1 particularly distinguished by the medium to large size yellow decorative inflorescences, vigorous size plant, round mound plant habit, with a natural flowering response of early May until late September.

This invention relates to methods for identifying sunflower plants that having increased Orobanche resistance. The methods use molecular markers to identify and to select plants with increased Orobanche resistance. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention

Isolated nucleotide sequences mutated by insertion encoding a truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein, truncated protein, methods, procedures and uses. The isolated nucleotide sequences comprise an insertion that includes a stop codon, and wherein the sequences encode a truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein. The truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein may be for example the sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

A new and distinct cultivar of Helianthus plant named Autumn Gold, characterized by its single-type, golden-yellow colored inflorescences, dark green-colored foliage, moderately vigorous, and compact-mounded growth habit, is disclosed.

This disclosure concerns methods and compositions for identifying sunflower plants that have a low palmitic acid content phenotype. Some embodiments concern molecular markers to identify, select, and/or construct low palmitic acid content plants and germplasm, or to identify and counter-select relatively high palmitic acid content plants. This disclosure also concerns sunflower plants comprising a low palmitic acid content phenotype that are generated by methods utilizing at least one marker described herein.

Isolated nucleotide sequences mutated by insertion encoding a truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein, truncated protein, methods, procedures and uses. The isolated nucleotide sequences comprise an insertion that includes a stop codon, and wherein the sequences encode a truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein. The truncated sunflower oleate desaturase protein may be for example the sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 1 or SEQ ID No: 2.

This invention describes a new method to generate hybrid seed in any crop plant while also reducing contamination from out-crossings and self-pollination. In contrast to conventional seed production methods, the method of the invention is not dependent on the use of any form of male sterility in the female parent plants, nor the use of isolation distances from unrelated and undesirable plants of the same species, nor the use of male parent plants in proximity to the targeted females. The process involves the delivery of pollen of the male parent at will, as available either in a preserved pollen bank, or using real-time collection from male plants as they become available. Desired pollen is delivered to fertile females during the period when viable pollen from the females and locally proximal unrelated plants is not being released. The delivered male pollen is in such amounts and fortuitously timed that it preferentially pollinates the females and produces relatively pure hybrid seed at levels much higher than if one used current hybrid production practices and did not utilize male sterility practices or prescribed isolation distances. Such fortuitous timing may involve the intentional application of pollen to females a day or two prior to female parent pollen becoming viable, and/or several consecutive mornings prior to female parent pollen or other proximal plant pollen beginning to shed each day.

Provided are sunflowers, parts thereof, cultures of, and seeds that are capable of producing sunflower oil that is low in saturated fat as well as associated methods.

The present invention provides an interspecific Helianthus plant comprising a genetic determinant responsible for an indeterminate phenotype. Methods of making said plant are also provided.