During the first period, HelEx partners developed innovative genetic, genomic, and phenotyping resources to study seed quality and pollinator resource production.
At the genomic level, the consortium produced 11 high-quality annotated genomes, including 2 cultivated sunflowers, 4 extremophile Helianthus species, and 5 locally adapted H. annuus ecotypes. Additionally, high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) tools were enhanced. The Heliaphen platform was equipped to simulate heat stress and drought scenarios, while two image analysis pipelines were developed to count pollinators and estimate seed maturity and leaf area using drone images.
These tools supported both Fast-Track and Slow-Track genetic approaches. The Fast-Track strategy leveraged existing genetic knowledge to identify 10 genomic regions and candidate genes associated with drought tolerance and test new wild Helianthus haplotypes for drought response and pollinator attraction. The Slow-Track strategy used functional genomics to study molecular responses of cultivated and wild sunflowers to drought and heat stress, leading to the selection of 24 candidate genes for further screening.
These resources are utilized for biotechnological application in sunflower. Protocols for in vitro culture, transformation, and regeneration were shared, optimized, and tested across genotypes. Gene editing constructs were developed using prior European project knowledge. Marker-assisted breeding for drought tolerance was initiated, with donor lines identified and markers developed.
Seed quality characterization methods were validated for key traits like protein content and polyphenols, using control genetic materials. Cold-pressed cakes, dehulled kernels, and detoxified low-fat meals were analyzed for protein composition (globulins, albumins) and phenolic compounds, alongside functional properties like emulsifying and foaming capacities. These methods are operational for future evaluation of HelEx climate-smart sunflowers.
These new HelEx sunflowers aim to accompany future shifts in cultivation due to climate change. Regions where sunflower stability or expansion is expected (e.g. Central and Northern Europe) were identified to guide environmental impact assessments. Nutritional and health analytics for pollinator interactions and image-based arthropod tracking were validated. An eDNA-monitoring protocol was adapted and tested for sunflower ahead of 2025 field trials. A Life Cycle Assessment strategy for the climate-smart sunflower value chain was also initiated.
To evaluate farm-level impacts, including pollinator activity, a bioeconomic model was developed and tested for a case study region. This model, calibrated with HelEx data, will inform final farm-level results. Surveys and interviews on producer and consumer attitudes toward modified sunflowers will begin in the next reporting period. Market and cultivation data have been collected to analyze socio-economic impacts, and a Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model was calibrated. Additionally, the WOFOST model was applied to assess climate change impacts on European sunflower cultivation, with results guiding regional focus and validating crop model outcomes later in the project.