title: Identification and characterization of contrasting sunflower genotypes to early leaf senescence process combining molecular and physiological studies (Helianthus annuus L.).
abstract: Leaf senescence is a complex mechanism ruled by multiple genetic and environmental variables that affect crop yields. It is the last stage in leaf development, is characterized by an active decline in photosynthetic rate, nutrients recycling and cell death. The aim of this work was to identify contrasting sunflower inbred lines differing in leaf senescence and to deepen the study of this process in sunflower. Ten sunflower genotypes, previously selected by physiological analysis from 150 inbred genotypes, were evaluated under field conditions through physiological, cytological and molecular analysis. The physiological measurement allowed the identification of two contrasting senescence inbred lines, R453 and B481-6, with an increase in yield in the senescence delayed genotype. These findings were confirmed by cytological and molecular analysis using TUNEL, genomic DNA gel electrophoresis, flow sorting and gene expression analysis by qPCR. These results allowed the selection of the two most promising contrasting genotypes, which enables future studies and the identification of new biomarkers associated to early senescence in sunflower. In addition, they allowed the tuning of cytological techniques for a non-model species and its integration with molecular variables.
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 25 de Mayo, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: López Gialdi
authors.affiliation: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Rivadavia 1917, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moschen
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Ruta Nacional 12 Km 7.5, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Villán
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: López Fernández
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Rivadavia 1917, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paniego
authors.affiliation: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Rivadavia 1917, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 25 de Mayo, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Rivadavia 1917, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Nicolás Repetto y de los Reseros, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: fernandez.pc@inta.gob.ar.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D005838:Genotype; D006368:Helianthus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*
keywords: Flow cytometry; Helianthus annuus L.; Leaf senescence; Physiological analysis; TUNEL; qPCR