Principal Investigators: Sam Markell, Febina Mathew, Zachary Ittel North Dakota State University, Brent Hulke, USDA, ARS and Bob Harveson, University of Nebraska, Scottsbluff. 
 
Project Objectives: The objectives of this study are to determine the pathogen virulence (determine races) that occurs throughout the Northern and Central High Plains, and that knowledge will inform breeders (and pathologists and geneticists) and seed companies as they develop and/or market successful hybrids. In addition, a new ‘differential set’, which adequately represents the known rust resistance genes, will be developed, and can be used into the future. Lastly, a plant pathology graduate stuaent will be educated as a sunflower pathologist. $9,000 was provided by the NSA Confection Promotion Committee and $3,184 by the Manitoba Crop Alliance for this project.
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Funded Amount: $31,843

Principal Investigators: Adam Varenhorst, Patrick Wagner, Philip Rozeboom, Bradley McManus South Dakota State University and Janet Knodel and Patrick Beauzay North Dakota State University.
 
Project Objectives: This project will evaluate the efficacy of currently labeled malathion for red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) in South Dakota. Utilize the data generated from the efficacy trials to obtain emergency registration for products that significantly reduce red sunflower seed weevil populations for the following growing season. It will evaluate farmer field failures with pyrethroid insecticides for control of RSSWs to determine if pyrethroid resistant RSSWs exist in North Dakota. Collect RSSW adults from farmer problem fields near Hettinger and Linton in North Dakota and test them for resistance using commonly used pyrethroid active ingredients registered in sunflowers. The NSA Confection Promotion Committee paid for this project in its entirety.

Funded Amount: $6,000

Principal Investigators: Karl Roeder, Shannon Osborne and Sharon Schneider United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS).
 
Project Objectives: This project will provide information on red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) phenology and dispersal that is critical to understanding the biology of this incredibly important pest of sunflower. Results from the first objective will provide novel data on when and how RSSW emerge, reproduce, and infest sunflowers. Furthermore, detailed information on RSSW phenology will enable more strategic application of control methods, chemical or cultural, to maximize effectiveness and reduce pest outbreaks. Results from the second objective will provide a first approximation of the potential and realized dispersal capabilities of RSSW, of which little to no information currently exists. Once the preliminary work in this proposal is completed, future on-farm research can be conducted to determine when and how far RSSW move across a typical sunflower-producing landscape, which is vital for any area wide pest management program.

Funded Amount: $15,000

Principal Investigator: Brian Jenks, North Dakota State University.
 
Project Objectives: Evaluate crop tolerance and kochia control in sunflower with non-labeled burndown herbicides compared to current standards.  This study will determine the effectiveness of non-labeled herbicides for preplant/preemergence kochia control.  If these herbicides are effective and can be labeled, then they will provide farmers with another option to control glyphosate-resistant kochia prior to sunflower emergence. $1,000 was provided the Manitoba Crop Alliance for this project.

Funded Amount: $10,000

Principal Investigators: Kirk Howatt, Brian Jenks, and Caleb Dalley, North Dakota State University.
 
Project Objectives: Kochia has been a persistent problem in North Dakota agriculture for decades. It is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments that include much of central and western North Dakota. Even in eastern North Dakota, with more regular precipitation, kochia thrives in sandy soil textures where drainage readily removes excess soil moisture which results in generally dry surface soil conditions. This research will determine the most effective residual herbicide that does not require mechanical incorporation for kochia control in sunflowers. It will identify mixtures of sulfentrazone, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor, and pyroxasulfone that result in best weed control and identify whether fall or spring application provides better kochia control with pyroxasulfone and pendimethalin. $2,250 by the Manitoba Crop Alliance for this project.

Funded Amount: $22,500

Principal Investigator: Kristin Simons, North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center.
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Project Objectives: The primary outcome of this project is unbiased sunflower yield data from south-central North Dakota. The results will deliver direct and immediate benefits for producers and industry partners in this region. The trial will generate insights into hybrid differences in drought tolerance, lodging resistance, maturity, and harvestability. Regional and industry partners will have the opportunity to test their hybrids in a public variety trial in south-central ND. This expands the geographic range of available test sites in ND and strengthens the overall hybrid evaluation dataset for the Northern Great Plains. It also provides plant breeders with insights into genotype x environment interaction relevant to traits such as oil content, drought tolerance, and disease tolerance. The data will be included in Extension and outreach activities for the south-central region. Results will be published in the NDSU Variety Trial bulletin, the Carrington Research Extension Center reports and the online variety trial database. The trial will be highlighted during the Tri County Plot Tour.

Funded Amount: $10,800

Principal Investigator: Zane Jenkins, Colorado State University’s Plainsman Research Center.
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Project Objectives: This project will allow for evaluating different planting dates in Southeast Colorado for dryland sunflowers to provide better information to area producers on their benefits and challenges. The project will evaluate different hybrid maturities at different planting dates to see how it impacts yield and oil content. The completed work will demonstrate the benefits and challenges of different planting dates for area farmers; evaluate the impact of insect pests by planting date and maturity treatments within those planting dates to see if those cultural practices can be utilized as part of an integrated pest management plan; and determine the economic return by planting date, as well as cost of additional insecticide treatments for earlier planting dates compared to later planting dates.

Funded Amount: $8,000

Principal Investigators: Calvin Trostle Texas A&M AgriLife Center, Ron Meyer, Colorado State University, Jeanne Falk-Jones, Kansas State University.
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Project Objectives: The current edition of the High Plains Sunflower Production Handbook was published in 2005. Significant sunflower production information has changed or improved for numerous topics since 2005. Previous editions have been well accepted by farmers as a more southerly resource for sunflowers. The guide will be updated to reflect current practices and expanded south to include Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.  Subject matter experts in sunflower agronomic and pest management will be invited to review the current document and provide revisions where needed. Sections of the handbook that will be updated include insect control, disease pathogens and control, more recent weed control recommendations, as well as numerous advanced tips for sunflower production.

Funded Amount: $8,000