Lili Qi, Li Gong, Sam Markell, Gerald Seiler, Thomas Gulya Jr., Brent Hulke Abstract: Two confection sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germplasm lines, HA-R10 (Reg. No.xxx, PI670043) and HA-R11 (Reg. No.xxx, PI670044) were developed by the USDA-ARS Sunflower and Plant Biology Research Unit in collaboration with the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and released December, 2013. […]

Zahirul Talukder, Li Gong, Brent Hulke, Venkatramana Pegadaraju, Qijian Song, Quentin Schultz, Lili Qi Abstract: A high-resolution genetic map of sunflower was constructed by integrating SNP data from three F2 mapping populations (HA 89/ RHA 464, B-line/ RHA 464, and CR 29/ RHA 468). The consensus map spanned a total length of 1443.84 cM, and

Brent S. Hulke, Larry W. Kleingartner Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a relatively new crop to North America, with production beginning in earnest in the 1970s in the United States. There have been many challenges to production, including agronomic issues such as seed placement and herbicide systems adequate for weed control, disease issues caused by

Jarrod Prasifka, Brent Hulke, Gerald Seiler Abstract: Sunflower pericarps provide a barrier against seed-feeding by larvae of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum. Pericarp hardening is thought to be accelerated by a phytomelanin layer beneath the hypodermis, but among germplasm with phytomelanin, broad variation in sunflower pericarp strength exists. To facilitate the use of pericarp strength

Zahirul Talukder, Brent Hulke, Laura Marek, Thomas Gulya Jr Abstract: Basal stalk rot (BSR) and head rot (HR) caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary are traditionally major diseases of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the United States, while Phomopsis stem canker (PSC) caused by Phomopsis helianthi Munt.-Cvet. et al. has become increasingly damaging in recent years. Host resistance is

Anitha Chirumamilla, Janet Knodel, Laurence Charlet, Brent Hulke, Stephan Foster, Paul Ode Abstract: Banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, is one of the most destructive seed-feeding insect pests of sunflowers, causing significant economic yield losses in the northern Great Plains. In an attempt to understand host-plant resistance mechanisms for this pest, we field tested over

Michael B. Kantar Kevin Betts, Jean-Michel Michno, James J. Luby, Peter L. Morrell, Brent S. Hulke, Robert M. Stupar, Donald L.Wyse Abstract: Perennial crops show promise for sustainable agricultural production while providing ecosystem services (maintaining healthy soil, controlling erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing wildlife habitat). Perennial crops could also provide economically viable cropping option

Thomas Pearson, Jarrad Prasifka, Daniel Brabec, Ronald Haff, Brent Hulke Abstract: The development of insect-resistant sunflowers is hindered by the lack of a quick and effective method for scoring samples in terms of insect damage. The current method for scoring insect damage, which involves manual inspection of seeds for holes bored into the shell, is

Zahirul I. Talukder, Brent S. Hulke, Lili Qi, Brian E. Scheffler, Venkatramana Pegadaraju, Kevin McPhee and Thomas J. Gulya  Abstract: Sclerotinia stalk rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most destructive diseases of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) worldwide. Markers for genes controlling resistance to S. sclerotiorum will enable efficient marker-assisted selection (MAS). We sequenced eight candidate genes homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana defense genes known to be

Venkatramana Pegadaraju, Rick Nipper, Brent Hulke, Lili Qi and Quentin Schultz  Abstract: Application of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) marker technology as a tool in sunflower breeding programs offers enormous potential to improve sunflower genetics, and facilitate faster release of sunflower hybrids to the market place. Through a National Sunflower Association (NSA) funded initiative, we report on the process of SNP