Premium
Sunflower genetic, genomic and ecological resources
Author(s) -
Kane Nolan C.,
Burke John M.,
Marek Laura,
Seiler Gerald,
Vear Felicity,
Baute Gregory,
Knapp Steven J.,
Vincourt Patrick,
Rieseberg Loren H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular ecology resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.96
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1755-0998
pISSN - 1755-098X
DOI - 10.1111/1755-0998.12023
Subject(s) - biology , domestication , germplasm , genetic resources , ecological genetics , evolutionary biology , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology , agronomy , population , demography , sociology
Long a major focus of genetic research and breeding, sunflowers ( H elianthus ) are emerging as an increasingly important experimental system for ecological and evolutionary studies. Here, we review the various attributes of wild and domesticated sunflowers that make them valuable for ecological experimentation and describe the numerous publicly available resources that have enabled rapid advances in ecological and evolutionary genetics. Resources include seed collections available from germplasm centres at the USDA and INRA , genomic and EST sequences, mapping populations, genetic markers, genetic and physical maps and other forward‐ and reverse‐genetic tools. We also discuss some of the key evolutionary, genetic and ecological questions being addressed in sunflowers, as well as gaps in our knowledge and promising areas for future research.