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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #189310

Title: CONFINING SAFFLOWER POLLEN DURING REGENERATION OF GERMPLASM SEED STOCKS

Author
item Johnson, Richard

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2004
Publication Date: 1/1/2005
Citation: Johnson, R.C. 2005. Confining safflower pollen during regeneration of germplasm seed stocks [abstract]. USDA APHIS Headquarters Workshop on the Confinement of Genetically Engineered Crops during Field Testing September 13-15, 2004 Agenda and Abstracts, Insect Pollinated Crops.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) maintains more than 2300 accessions of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for use as genetic resources. Periodic regeneration is needed to provide the quantity and quality of seed needed to keep this material available for distribution to researchers worldwide. To maintain the genetic purity of this material, outcrossing among accessions must be avoided during regeneration. Research has shown that natural outcrossing for in safflower can range from zero to near 100% but an average of 15 to 20% is most commonly reported. The degree of outcrossing depends on insect availability and variation in the outcrossing potential of different genotypes. A large number of bee species forage on safflower blossoms, but honeybees are the most prominent pollinators. Wind pollination does not appear to be an important factor in safflower outcrossing. Crosses of wild, weedy Carthamus with safflower could result if plants were in close proximity. This would be most likely in species such as C. oxycantha, C. palaestinus, and C. flavencens (=percicus). They are closely related and have the same chromosome number as safflower (n=12). However, these wild species appear to be extremely rare or non-existent in most safflower production areas in North America. At the WRPIS, screen cages fitting loosely around plants are constructed to exclude insect pollinators during seed regeneration. Genetically distinct, selfed seed is obtained for each accession; seed production is sufficient and germination is generally above 90%. This system would be impractical on a field scale, but there are large areas of North America where no safflower production currently occurs, and where no weedy safflower relatives are reported. This, isolation of transgenic safflower in suitable growing environment should be possible.