SUBÜ Project to Shorten Sunflower Breeding Time

A research project aimed at increasing agricultural productivity is being launched at the Faculty of Agriculture of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (SUBÜ). The project, titled “Development of Doubled Haploid Lines in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) via Anther Culture”, prepared under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferzat Turan, has been accepted within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module.

Associate Professor Dr. Ferzat Turan, Faculty of Agriculture, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (SUBÜ).

The project aims to significantly shorten the pure line development period—which can take up to 8 years using conventional methods—through biotechnological approaches. A graduate student will also take part in the research team as a scholarship holder.

8-Year Breeding Period to Be Reduced

The main focus of the project is to optimize the duration required to develop “pure lines,” which can take 7–8 years using conventional methods in next-generation sunflower breeding studies. By utilizing the Doubled Haploid (DH) technique, the project aims to save substantial time and increase the efficiency of breeding programs. Within the scope of the research, flower buds containing microspores at the stage with the highest embryogenesis potential will be identified, and physiological conditions supporting embryo development will be optimized through low-temperature pre-treatments.

Sunflower

High-Yield and Resistant Genotypes

The homozygous pure lines to be obtained from the project are planned to be used as fundamental materials in future breeding studies. The developed lines are expected to have the following characteristics:

• High Yield Potential: Maximizing agricultural output

• Disease Resistance: Genetic infrastructure that protects plant health

• Environmental Stress Tolerance: Resistance to changing climate conditions

• Parental Material: Suitability for use in hybrid sunflower breeding programs

Sustainable Contribution to Agricultural Production

The research is expected to contribute to the development of biotechnological methods for sunflower breeding in Türkiye. The outputs of the project aim to support sustainable increases in agricultural productivity while also strengthening the technological capacity of domestic and national breeding programs.