The Pecos sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus) is particularly well adapted to saline soils and is able to out-compete other wild sunflower species in places like salt marshes. The species has great potential for helping to breed more salt-tolerant cultivated sunflowers, with hybrids developed using it potentially providing a 25% yield premium in salty soils.[i] But, H. paradoxus is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and is vulnerable to livestock grazing and invasive species.[ii]
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About CWRMore about Crop Wild Relatives
Crop wild relatives are the wild ‘cousins’ of our cultivated crops. In the same way that the wolf is related to the dog, CWR are related to our food plants.
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The ProjectMore about the project
The project Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: “Collecting, Protecting and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives” aims to collect important species of crop wild relatives, ensure their long-term conservation, and facilitate their use in breeding new, improved crops.
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ResourcesSee all our resources
This Project has led to the development of a number of tools and resources for people interested in collecting, conserving and using crop wild relatives in breeding.
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Global Crop Diversity Trust
Platz Der Vereinten Nationen 7
53113 Bonn, Germany
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