TRIALS will be run in central Queensland to test existing and new sunflower hybrids against Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV).
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Forestry senior plant pathologist (virology) Murray Sharman is running the trials at Clermont.
While growers and advisers remain wary of the potential impact of TSV in central Queensland, Dr Sharman assures growers that research has shown it no longer poses a serious threat to the sunflower industry in central Queensland when tolerant hybrids are used and potential disease sources around crops are minimised.
Sunflowers have also been planted at Mungindi, Queensland as part of a $14 million investment by the GRDC, QDAF, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the CSIRO to assess future farming systems for the northern grains region.
There is core trial site at Pampas west of Toowoomba, and six regional sites at Emerald, Billa Billa, Mungindi, Narrabri, Spring Ridge and Trangie.