Screening of among seventeen sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes for oil content and the first flowering day using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Background
Sunflower refers to the tribe Helianthus, subtribe Helianthinae, and family Asteraceae, which collectively contains 20 genera and 400 species. An important oilseed crop that yields edible oil is Helianthus annuus L.
Objective
The primary goal of the current study was to assess the genetic diversity of 17 genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) To measure the oil content during the initial flowering period and to reach the highest percentage of oil can be obtained from the first flowering day.
Materials and methods
Five RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) primers were used to detect the genetic diversity of the 17 sunflower hybrid genotypes obtained from Spain. Phylogenetic relationships of 17 sunflower genotypes were determined using three replications and 6 m lines on August 15, 2019, at the National Research Centre farm in Nubaria as part of a donation from the German corporation (strobe), Spain. To analyze the genetic diversity and phylogenetic linkages in sunflower germplasm, DNA fingerprinting and the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular marker approach were also used.
Results and conclusion
The oil content of 17 sunflower genotypes (Helianthus annuus L.) was assessed, with values ranging from 46 to 50%, with the highest values falling into five genotypes. However, the two genotypes were found to have the lowest oil percentage (46%). The early age and oil percentage differed among the varieties. In the Tornado and Elves genotypes, the longest and shortest days were 59 and 47, respectively. The means and standard errors for all statistical data are reported. Statistical significance was evaluated using the LSD. P values were considered statistically significant at P less than or equal to 0.05. According to the findings, RAPD primers generated 49 bands with a size range of 0.1–3 kb and an 87.75% polymorphism percentage. For RAPD, 43 polymorphic bands with distinct bands were observed. Morphological features and RAPD analysis separated the UPGMA Dendrogram into three groups. Jaccard’s coefficient was used to analyze the genetic similarity matrix, and a morphological study revealed that Tornado and Elvas, both from Spain, shared the most genetic similarity (0.970). RAPD analysis and morphological features are useful in identifying genetic variants. Conclusion, according to our findings, Helianthus annuus L. has a significant variation ratio. Indicating substantial diversity across the 17 sunflower genotypes, the genetic similarity index calculated using pooled data from RAPD markers showed an extensive range from 0.645 to 0.986. This study may be a reference for future research on Helianthus annuus L. and may support breeding initiatives and species concepts.