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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230270
Title: Increasing yields: Research opportunities and challenges. Role of the Sunflower Research Unit

Author
item Vick, Brady

Submitted to: CD ROM
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2008
Publication Date: 6/26/2008
Citation: Vick, B.A. 2008. Increasing yields: Research opportunities and challenges. Role of the Sunflower Research Unit. Presentation at 2008 National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar, June 25-27, 2008, Rapid City, SD. National Sunflower Assocation, Bismarck, ND [CD-ROM].

Interpretive Summary: The USDA-ARS Sunflower Research Unit in Fargo, ND, conducts research to enhance sunflower yield by reducing losses to insects and diseases. The unit is composed of seven research scientists, each with expertise in a different scientific discipline. The disciplines are genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemistry, botany, plant pathology, and entomology. Future additions to the scientific staff might include a plant physiologist if funding should become available. Each scientist has one technician to assist with field and laboratory experiments. Operating funds for research are foreseen to decrease over the next three years. However, supplemental funding has been available competitively from the USDA Sclerotinia Initiative to conduct research directed at reducing losses due to this disease. Additional funding has come from the National Sunflower Association to fund the salary of one technician, for supplies and materials, and for disease surveys in the pathology project. Other funds from the National Sunflower Association are directed toward screening for insect resistance. The objectives for the next five years include continued development of Sclerotinia resistance, additional focus on insect resistance, and development of markers for marker-assisted selection.

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS Sunflower Research Unit in Fargo, ND, conducts research to enhance sunflower yield by reducing losses to insects and diseases. The unit is composed of seven research scientists, each with expertise in a different scientific discipline. The disciplines are genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemistry, botany, plant pathology, and entomology. Future additions to the scientific staff might include a plant physiologist if funding should become available. Each scientist has one technician to assist with field and laboratory experiments. Operating funds for research are foreseen to decrease over the next three years. However, supplemental funding has been available competitively from the USDA Sclerotinia Initiative to conduct research directed at reducing losses due to this disease. Additional funding has come from the National Sunflower Association to fund the salary of one technician, for supplies and materials, and for disease surveys in the pathology project. Other funds from the National Sunflower Association are directed toward screening for insect resistance. The objectives for the next five years include continued development of Sclerotinia resistance, additional focus on insect resistance, and development of markers for marker-assisted selection.