February 2015

Genetic diversity analysis of local and foreign sunflower germplasm (Helianthus annuus) for the national breeding program: Zimbabwe

Characterisation of germplasm resources is vital for efficient management of breeding programs. Commonly used methods include biochemical, morpho-agronomic, molecular and to some extent cytological characterisation. With an effort to rescuscitate an ailing national sunflower breeding program after a series of major droughts, 16 female (A) lines and 10 male (R) lines were morphologically characterised. Ten morphological...

Author(s): Masvodza D. R., Gasura E., Zifodya N., Sibanda P. and Chisikaurayi B.