Sunflower Science and Technology (Agronomy, Number 19)

Sunflower is an excellent example of the success story of the 20th Century agricultural research system. By concerted and coordinated efforts of breeders, farmers, commercial enterprises, plant physiologists, entomologists, and agronomists, this crop has increased in acreage, usefulness, and economic importance during this century more than at any other time in history. These successes have resulted from efforts in many nations and by many different disciplines. There have been significant improvements in cultivars available for use, in the development of adapted cultivars for new areas, and in selection for specific properties needed for different end uses. The drought tolerance and deep-rooted habit of this species have enabled farmers in arid areas to have an economically viable alternate crop to incorporate into rotations that improve management options. Sunflower's popularity as a source of food and cooking oil have maintained and diversified the market for its products, especially in recent years. It is appropriate that our new knowledge of this species be integrated with previous knowledge and brought together in one place to provide a landmark in the forward progress of this important crop. This volume provides just such a landmark for sunflower researchers and the sunflower industry both in this country and abroad.