Integrating molecular marker analysis and oil characterization for sunflower breeding

Abstract

Two successful greenhouse experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons to evaluate the genetic and chemical basis of oil quantity and quality in five sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes (Sakha 53, Giza 102, Giza 120, Mas 85, and Sergio st). This study integrated three functional DNA marker systems, Start Codon Targeted (SCoT), Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP), and Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP) with detailed chemical analysis of seed oil content and fatty acid composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Chemical analysis of the harvested seeds showed oil yields ranging from 36.52% to 44.83%, with linoleic acid (56.0–64.5%) and oleic acid (24.1–32.1%) as the predominant fatty acids. Molecular analysis revealed substantial and consistent polymorphism (SCoT: 70.87%, SRAP: 70.37%, CDDP: 57.07%), with SRAP generating the highest number of genotype-specific markers (69), followed by SCoT (44) and CDDP (19). The integration of these datasets revealed that genotype-specific markers identified by the SCoT, SRAP, and CDDP systems coincided with differences in oil content, fatty acid composition, and minor lipid compounds among the studied genotypes, suggesting a potential relationship between genetic polymorphism and oil traits. In particular, gene-targeted markers, especially those detected by SRAP and SCoT, may reflect polymorphisms in or near genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and accumulation. This integrated approach demonstrates the value of combining molecular and biochemical data for assessing genetic distinctiveness and oil-related diversity and provides a basis for future studies investigating marker–trait relationships and their potential application in sunflower breeding.