Lili Qi, Thomas Gulya Jr., Gerald Seiler, Brent Hulke and Brady Vick Abstract: Sunflower rust, caused by Puccinia helianthi Schewein, is a prevalent disease in many countries throughout the world. The USDA-ARS Sunflower Unit has released breeding materials identified as ‘rust resistant’ for several decades. However, constantly co-evolving rust populations have formed new virulent races […]

Thomas Gulya Jr. and Brent Hulke Abstract: In a two-year study, 250 cultivated sunflower genotypes from the USDA sunflower collection (maintained and distributed by the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa) were evaluated in multiple field trials for their reaction to stalk rot incited by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Three locations were planted in 2008

Shaun Bushman, Brent Hulke and Nancy Ehlke Abstract: Perennial ryegrass(Lolium perenne) is one of the most abundantly utilized forage and turfgrass species; however, its lack of tolerance to freezing temperatures relative to other forage/turf grasses limits its use. A pseudo-testcross genetic mapping population was previously developed for perennial ryegrass, and a major QTL was found

Brent Hulke, Zahirul Talukder, Lili Qi and Thomas Gulya Jr. Abstract: In 2009, we continued the process of backcrossing the head rot QTL from the HA 441 x RHA 439 population into confectionery and elite oilseed backgrounds BC1F1 hybrids were produced and we are in the process of selecting progeny based on their marker profiles

Brent Hulke, Jerry Miller, Thomas Gulya Jr. and Brady Vick Abstract: Within the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) breeding community, there is a need for additional sources of downy mildew [caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & De Toni] resistance to combat economically damaging races in North America. Our objective was to produce three genetic stocks, each with a

Laurence Charlet, Gerald Seiler, Jerry Miller, Brent Hulke and Janet Knodel Abstract: A five year field trial evaluated 71 oilseed sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., accessions, 32 breeding lines, and 25 interspecific crosses for resistance to infestation by naturally occurring populations of the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in North Dakota. Germplasm with resistance to attack by

Aaron R. Johnsen, Brian P. Horgan, Brent S. Hulke and Van Cline Abstract: Turfgrass irrigation strategies must be clearly defined in response to increasing concerns over quality water availability. Water conservation may be achieved with technologies such as remote sensing. The objectives of this research were to (i) correlate reflectance measurements from creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) under stress with volumetric water content and

Anitha Chirumamilla, Laurence Charlet, Janet Knodel, Theresa Gross, and Brent Hulke Abstract: The banded sunflower moth is a key pest of sunflower in the northern Plains. Female moths deposit eggs on the outer surface of the bracts of the sunflower head. Larval feeding in the heads causes seed loss and lower oil content resulting in

Laurence Charlet, Robert Aiken, Gerald Seiler, Janet Knodel, Kathleen Grady, Anitha Chirumamilla and Brent Hulke Abstract: The major insect pests attacking cultivated sunflower include the sunflower stem weevil, the sunflower moth, the red sunflower seed weevil, the banded sunflower moth, and the sunflower midge. Strategies to reduce crop losses for these pests have focused on

Brent Hulke Abstract: Genetic research of the sunflower research unit, USDA-ARS, in Fargo, ND, was discussed in a presentation to a group of Canadian producers, industry representatives, and scientists. Because this was an international audience, I introduced the audience to ARS and the structure of the sunflower unit, and identified our customers and collaborators. I