Principal Investigators: Febina Mathew and Karthika Mohan North Dakota State University, Megan McCaghey, University of Minnesota, and Peter Kovacs, South Dakota State University.   
 
Project Objectives: The objectives of this study are to evaluate effectiveness of fungicides as well as fungicide application timing for management of Phomopsis stem canker under field conditions in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If this research is successful, the effective fungicides determined from this study will be used for developing and providing fungicide recommendations to sunflower producers for managing Phomopsis stem canker. $1,500 was provided by the Manitoba Crop Alliance for this project.
 
Funded Amount: $14,305

Principal Investigators: Sam Markell, Febina Mathew, Zachary Ittel North Dakota State University, Brent Hulke, USDA, ARS and Bob Harveson, University of Nebraska, Scottsbluff.
 
Project Objectives: The objectives of this study are to determine the pathogen virulence (determine races) that occurs throughout the Northern and Central High Plains, and that knowledge will inform breeders (and pathologists and geneticists) and seed companies as they develop and/or market successful hybrids. In addition, a new ‘differential set’, which adequately represents the known rust resistance genes, will be developed, and can be used into the future. Lastly, a plant pathology graduate student will be educated as a sunflower pathologist.
 
Funded Amount: $31,321

Principal Investigators: Adam Varenhorst, Patrick Wagner, Philip Rozeboom, Bradley McManus South Dakota State University and Janet Knodel, Patrick Beauzay, Victor Gomes North Dakota State University.
 
Project Objectives: In South Dakota, the red sunflower seed weevil (RSSW) is a major insect pest of sunflowers each year. This project will evaluate the efficacy of currently labeled and non-labeled foliar insecticides for RSSW in North Dakota and. South Dakota. For these treatments, adjuvants that may enhance insecticidal activity will be included. The data generated from the efficacy trials may be utilized to obtain emergency registration for products that significantly reduce red sunflower seed weevil populations for the following growing season. Researchers will evaluate field failures of pyrethroid insecticides for control of RSSWs to determine if pyrethroid resistant RSSWs exist in North Dakota. RSSW adults will be collected from farmer problem fields in North Dakota to test them for resistance using pyrethroid active ingredients registered in sunflowers. Research results from North Dakota and South Dakota will be compiled to produce extension articles addressing the results of these objectives. A fact sheet will be developed addressing the efficacy results for North Dakota and South Dakota and address the issue of RSSW resistance to pyrethroids. The 2025 insecticide screening results will be submitted to peer-reviewed Arthropod Management Tests. Overall results will help develop management recommendations for the 2026 growing season. $15,000 was provided by the NSA Confection Promotion Committee for this project.
 
Funded Amount: $34,425

Principal Investigators: Brian Jenks, North Dakota State University.
 
Project Objectives: Evaluate crop tolerance and kochia control in sunflower with non-labeled burndown herbicides compared to current standards.  This study will determine the effectiveness of non-labeled herbicides for preplant/preemergence kochia control.  If these herbicides are effective and can be labeled, then they will provide farmers with another option to control glyphosate-resistant kochia prior to sunflower emergence. 
 
Funded Amount: $10,000

Principal Investigators: Kirk Howatt, Joseph Ikley, Brian Jenks, Caleb Dalley, Michael Ostlie, and Jeff Stachler, North Dakota State University
 
Project Objectives: Kochia has been a persistent problem in North Dakota agriculture for decades. It is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments that include much of central and western North Dakota. Even in eastern North Dakota, with more regular precipitation, kochia thrives in sandy soil textures where drainage readily removes excess soil moisture which results in generally dry surface soil conditions. This research will determine the most effective residual herbicide that does not require mechanical incorporation for kochia control in sunflowers. It will  also identify whether two-way mixtures of sulfentrazone, pendimethalin, S-metolachlor, and pyroxasulfone result in synergistic kochia control. $6,265 was provided by the ND State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) and $4,000 by the Manitoba Crop Alliance for this project.
 
Funded Amount: $21,000

Principal Investigators: Brent Hulke USDA ARS, and Richard Horsley, North Dakota State University.  
 
Project Objectives: Expand evaluation of sunflower testcross hybrids to central South Dakota and continue double-crop trials in Kansas. Ensure continuity of the line development program for early- (i.e. double crop compatible) and mid-maturity (i.e. full season for the Dakotas) sunflower parental lines. Bring genomics assisted methods to both the early and mid-maturity programs. This project will allow USDA breeders to achieve faster genetic improvement for sunflower with more and earlier information on genetic potential. This combined with additional data from field trials should accelerate genetic progress, and the resulting lines and relevant data will be made available to the benefit of seed companies and producers.
 
Funded Amount: $116,134

Principal Investigators: Ana Carcedo, Victor Gomes, Febina Mathew, North Dakota State University, Patrick Wagner, South Dakota State University, and Jarrad Prasifka, USDA ARS,
 
Project Objectives: The survey is conducted bi-yearly prior to harvest. Volunteers from all levels of the sunflower industry visit sunflower fields to survey crop conditions. Teams survey for yield and production practices, weeds, insects, diseases, and bird damage. The survey will be conducted in the states of ND, MN, SD, KS, NE, TX, and CO. Manitoba, Canada will also be included. Survey data helps guide the NSA Research Committee in setting research priorities. $8,625 was provided by the ND State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) for this project.
 
Funded Amount: $14,500