Gene 'pyramids' countering rust in sunflowers

摘要

SUNFLOWERS are an important summer crop option in the northern grains region, where more than 50% of the crop is produced. Domestic demand for sunflower is about 120,000 tonnes of seed, all of which is value-added. Sunflower varieties produce healthyoil, comparable in quality to the much sought after olive oil, but cost a fraction of the price. Like many other crops, sunflower production is constantly threatened by at least one major disease. The fungus that causes the disease known as rust, produces new strains at a rapid rate, which threaten resistant hybrids and forces sunflower breeders to replace them more regularly than otherwise required.