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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 #389374
Research Project: Genetic Enhancement of Sunflower Yield and Tolerance to Biotic Stress

Location: Sunflower and Plant Biology Research

Title: Pollinator responses to variation in sunflower crop traits

Author
item Prasifka, Jarrad
item Yoshimura Ferguso, Mary
item Hulke, Brent

Submitted to: National Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Several traits have been suggested to influence pollinator choice of inbreds or hybrids of cultivated sunflowers. Recent research has suggested accessibility of nectar, determined by floret length, is the genetically-controlled trait most important to sunflowers’ attraction of wild bees. The importance of nectar accessibility also seems to extend to honey bees foraging in sunflowers. However, there are cases in which the “shorter is better” rule for floret size may not apply, or cases in which floret size may be unimportant. Progress in understanding exceptions to the rules on pollinator preference and progress in mapping plant traits will be discussed.