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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower Improvement Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421723
Research Project: Sunflower Yield, Crop Quality, and Interactions with Biotic and Abiotic Stressors

Location: Sunflower Improvement Research

Title: Update on effects of planting date on seed weevil damage and other yield components

Author
item Prasifka, Jarrad
item VARENHORST, ADAM - South Dakota State University
item SIMONS, KRISTIN - North Dakota State University
item Cluever, Jeffrey
item WAGNER, PATRICK - South Dakota State University
item IRELAND, SAM - South Dakota State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2024
Publication Date: 1/8/2025
Citation: Prasifka, J.R., Varenhorst, A., Simons, K., Cluever, J.D., Wagner, P., Ireland, S. 2025. Update on effects of planting date on seed weevil damage and other yield components. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Trials in North Dakota and South Dakota have shown that early planting can reduce damage from red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte, by 80% or more. However, sunflower growers have expressed concerns that early planting reduces yields and makes this management strategy unattractive. Weevil damage and yield data from earlier trials (2022–2023) will be reviewed and data from 2024 trials, including seed weevil emergence and the use of an early-maturing hybrids, will be shared. Though analyses of 2024 samples are incomplete, results show that (i) avoiding seed weevils using early-planting is a viable strategy in central South Dakota, but (ii) there are scenarios that are too early or where early-planting is not needed.