SBARE Sunflower Granting Committee

USDA-ARS Building, NDSU Campus

Meeting Minutes

March 5, 2009

 

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education’s (SBARE’s) Sunflower Granting Committee met in conjunction with the National Sunflower Association’s board.  Committee voting members present were Art Ridl, Mike Clemens, Don Schmommer, Jeff oberholtzer, Stan Buxa and Tim DeKrey.  Non-voting members present were Larry Kleingartner, Guy Christensen and John McLean.  Also present was Lori Capouch.

 

The committee and board members discussed the pending research proposals.

 

Proposals eligible for SBARE funding:

 

Determination of the biology, impact, economic threshold and pest management strategies for the sunflower seed maggot and sunflower bud moth

Researcher:  Janet Knodel

Amount requested:  $48,000

 

The goal of this project is to obtain a better understanding of the life history of the sunflower seed maggot and sunflower bud moth, how each generation damages the sunflower head, and the impact of these pests on cultivated sunflower throughout the northern production region.  In addition, through a series of field studies, the potential of different management strategies including planting date, plant resistance and chemical control to reduce damage will be explored.  Efforts also will include studies to develop sampling methodologies and establish economic thresholds.

 

A comparison of sunflower and other crops on effective deep nitrogen use

Researcher: Exra Aberle

Amount requested:  $3,800

 

This project will demonstrate the benefits of sunflower as an effective and efficient crop in the utilization of nitrogen, especially that nitrogen deeper in the soil profile is no longer available to many crops grown in the region.  It will further show that sunflower can be grown successfully after other crops grown in the region under differing tillage systems and fertility levels.  Field production management research combined with economic analysis will be an important tool for practical application.

 

Development of management strategies to control sunflower rust using genetic resistance and fungicides

Researcher:  Samuel Markell

Amount requested:  $28,588

 

The objectives of this project are 1) the completion of fungicide evaluation and timing; 2) an assessment of pathogen races and 3) the development of molecular markers that will aid and improve incorporation of rust resistant genes into hybrids.

 

Evaluation of fungicides and fungicide timing for management of phomoposis in sunflowers

Researcher:  Sam Markell

Amount requested:  $20,544

 

Researchers anticipate this study will answer the following questions:

  1. Which fungicides most effectively manage Phomopsis
  2. What is the best time of application
  3. What fungicide recommendations can researchers make?

 

With some answers to these questions, researchers expect to provide growers with reliable and accurate recommendations regarding potential loss and management from the disease. 

 

Impact of precision planting on sunflower yield and diseases

Researcher:  Ganesh Bora

Amount requested:  $14,185

 

The goal of this project is to study different precision planting techniques for sunflower in different tillage systems including no till to save cost of seeds and maximize production from each seed to maximize profits.  The study will examine the impact of precision planting on yield and diseases in the sunflower crop.  The results will be obtained by comparing results from controlled precision planted experimental and field plots of sunflower crop with traditionally planted sunflower.

 

Funding decisions

 

It was moved and seconded to grant negotiated funding of up to $13,629 for the project titled “Development of management strategies to control sunflower rust using genetic resistance and fungicides”.  The motion carried.

 

There being no further business, the committee meeting was adjourned.