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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 #185375

Title: RESISTANCE OF SUNFLOWER GERMPLASM TO THE RED SUNFLOWER SEED WEEVIL, HIGHMORE, 2004

Author
item GRADY, KATHLEEN - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item Charlet, Laurence
item Miller, Jerry

Submitted to: South Dakota State University Plant Science Annual Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2005
Publication Date: 2/1/2005
Citation: Grady, K., Charlet, L.D., Miller, J.F. 2005. Resistance of sunflower germplasm to the red sunflower seed weevil, Highmore, 2004. Central Crops and Soils Research Station Progress Report 2004, South Dakota State University, Plant Science Pamphlet 20. p. 7-8.

Interpretive Summary: The red sunflower seed weevil is a serious pest of sunflower in North and South Dakota. Adult females lay eggs in immature seed and the larvae consume a portion of the kernel causing economic damage in the form of lost yield and oil content of oilseed sunflower and both yield and quality of confection sunflower. The goal of this project is to identify sunflower germplasm with genetic resistance to the seed weevil and once identified, to make it available to seed companies for incorporation into hybrids. Between 2002 and 2004, selected lines, accessions, and interspecific crosses were evaluated in trials at Highmore, South Dakota. Seed damage, caused by weevil feeding, varied among the germplasm tested showing that some material had some resistance to this pest. Germplasm evaluation is being continued at this location using both new accessions and lines which showed reduced injury being retested to confirm the results of earlier trials.

Technical Abstract: The red sunflower seed weevil is a serious pest of sunflower in North and South Dakota. Adult females lay eggs in immature seed and the larvae consume a portion of the kernel causing economic damage in the form of lost yield and oil content of oilseed sunflower and both yield and quality of confection sunflower. The goal of this project is to identify sunflower germplasm with genetic resistance to the seed weevil and once identified, to make it available to seed companies for incorporation into hybrids. Between 2002 and 2004, selected lines, accessions, and interspecific crosses were evaluated in trials at Highmore, South Dakota. Seed damage, caused by weevil feeding, varied among the germplasm tested showing that some material had some resistance to this pest. Germplasm evaluation is being continued at this location using both new accessions and lines which showed reduced injury being retested to confirm the results of earlier trials.