Project Number: 5442-21220-024-10
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: May 01, 2011
End Date: Apr 30, 2014

Objective:
Evaluate selected hybrids, accessions, interspecific crosses, and lines in screening nurseries for resistance to the banded sunflower moth in North Dakota, red sunflower seed weevil in South Dakota, and stem weevil and sunflower head moth in Kansas.

Approach:
Plots for banded sunflower moth will be located in Prosper, ND, plots for red sunflower seed weevil with be located in Highmore, SD, plots for stem weevil and sunflower moth will be located in Colby KS. Each location will contain lines, hybrids, and accessions of interest for the particular insect. Each entry will be replicated 2-4 times in a randomized complete block design. At key points in the growing season, plant tissues may be sampled for the purpose of quantifying physiological compounds that may be involved with resistance. DNA may also be sampled, as needed, for analysis. At the end of the season, seed will be sampled from the plots to assess damage from the seed infesting insects. For stem weevil, damage to stalks will be assessed, and larval counts recorded.