USDA Agricultural Research Service Acting Research Lead Brent Hulke is focused on growing demand for sunflowers. During the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar, Hulke told attendees innovation is happening with genetics. “What we’re trying to do within our research unit is take basic discoveries in entomology and plant pathology and other various areas and try to mold our breeding program to incorporate that.” New traits are important. “Insect resistance like the seed weevil, that’s important in South Dakota. We’re working that into the rotation system, coming up with solutions that are going to include that resistance.”
