Sunflower propagation.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been cultivated both as an oilseed and as an ornamental plant. Several protocols have been described for the micropropagation, direct plant regeneration by organogenesis being acceptable for this plant species. Besides a strong genotype dependency, the type and ontogenic stage of explants, environmental conditions of the culture, and media composition affect sunflower organogenesis. Several problems have hindered the ability to regenerate normal shoots; the most common being hyperhydricity and precocious flowering. This chapter describes a protocol for direct shoot regeneration from cotyledons developed and established in our laboratory, as well as the improvement regenerated shoot quality.