In partnership with National Sunflower Association, every other year Manitoba Crop Alliance and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada participate in a Sunflower Survey. The collaboration includes several states in the U.S. where sunflowers are grown, so participation in Manitoba is beneficial to the dataset.
Sunflower diseases make up the bulk of the survey since, agronomically, they are the greatest concern to the crop. The requirements are to assess ten diseases in incidence (number of plants) and severity (% damage to affected plants) of sunflower rust, specifically.
MCA is funding the participation of AAFC’s oilseed and Pulse Crop Pathologist, Dr. Ahmed Abdelmagid, on this project. Dr. Abdelmagid participates in the field survey and also analyzes stalk disease samples from each field to determine various strains present in Manitoba sunflowers.
This survey is important in a “minor” crop for Manitoba in order to help farmers understand the specific pressures they are working against. Together with AAFC and Manitoba Agriculture, we can use the survey data to create extension for farmers and agronomists that will strengthen the crop’s success on the Prairies. Paired with the U.S. data, we are able to make fair comparisons and and identify Manitoba’s successes and areas that need improvement. This leads to more directed research projects in the future and extension work with farmers on specific topics.