Hybrid Seed Production Technology in Sunflower
摘要
For many years, hybrid vigour in plants including sunflowers is recognized as a widespread phenomenon. Nowadays, commercial hybrids are widely employed in a variety of crops, including sunflower. The presence of hybrid vigour, the removal of pollen shedders from the female parent, and sufficient quantity of pollen supply by the pollen parent are the three basic prerequisites for success of hybrid seed production. This chapter deals with the practical aspects in hybrid seed production of sunflower. The principles illustrate the use of various techniques of hybrid seed production in sunflower. To fulfil the need of the country’s food security, it is very essential to make available a wide range of seeds of best quality, in sufficient quantities at appropriate time. Seed is the most important basic input component in agriculture. Large-scale hybrid seed production in case of sunflower requires skill and expertise due to the cross-pollinated nature of the crop. The knowledge on maintenance breeding, seed production techniques, production as well as protection management practices, seed certification process, and post-harvest and processing aspects would be critical for successful quality seed production. A thorough knowledge on stigma receptivity of seed-producing parent (A) and viability of pollens of pollen-producing parents (B or R) is very important to understand the problems involved in seed production. Keeping this in view, an effort has been made to provide the information on various aspects of quality hybrid seed production of sunflower crop in this chapter, which could serve as an instant guidance to the sunflower seed producers, farmers, and students.