Washington, DC, USA
April 25, 2011

Source: Sunflower Highlights, newsletter of the U.S. National Sunflower Association

Over $500,000 has been allocated for Sclerotinia research on sunflower for the next year.

The majority of the funding comes from the National Sclerotinia Initiative with lesser amounts from the NSA confection processor committee and the NSA research budget.

Sclerotinia is the most significant disease affecting sunflower and a host of other broadleaf crops. Total crop losses approach $1 billion nationally. The majority of the sunflower research is directed to genetic resistance.

Resistant genes have been identified in a number of wild sunflower species and the process of moving these multiple genes to cultivated backgrounds in well underway. Fungicides are becoming an option as well with new products being introduced over the next several years.

The combination of genetic hybrid resistance with fungicides is a research strategy that is expected to take a significant 'bite' out of this disease in the near future.
 

Website: http://www.sunflowernsa.com

Published: April 25, 2011