Abstract: "Minkui 3" is a new,pollen-free ornamental sunflower variety developed by cross-breeding the "CS"(with white petals)as female parent and the high-generation inbred line,"M1R3-1"(with yellow petals),as male parent by the Crop Institute,Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.The new variety was confirmed to be a true hybrid offsping by molecular marker analysis,such as RAPD and ISSR.The results obtained from the cultivation at various sites for several years showed that "Minkui 3" could be used for ornamental cut flower production and garden cultivation because of its stable ornamental characteristics,yellow petals,bright colors,pollen-free property and branching capability."Minkui 3" had a growth period of 92-112 days.Its plant height was 96.0-170.0 cm with faceplate diameter of 6.4-7.2 cm,flower diameter of 13.7-14.8 cm,petal number of 34-39,and a cut flower lifespan of 9-14 d.This vigorous,adaptable,new variety had a short growth period,was suitable for year-round cultivation,and provided a cutting output of 90000-120000 pieces·m^-2."Minkui 3" had passed the provincial appraisal in 2011.The instruction manual for cultivation is also available.

Key words: Ornamental sunflower, pollen-free, Minkui 3, breeding, cultivation