North Dakota State University researchers say they have found genetic traits in sunflowers that resist a devastating fungus known to producers as white mold. Cooperative research at the Carrington Research Extension Center and the Agricultural Research Service in Fargo has yielded three new lines of germplasm that are resistant to the infection. Germplasm is the genetic information of a plant’s hereditary makeup and is the living tissue that can be used to grow new plants. Dubbed “RH 439,” “RH 440" and “HA 441,” the lines have been developed, tested and released. Agronomist Bob Henson’s team continues to develop sunflower varieties that have better genetic resistance.
