August 20, 2014
After years of extensive testing in many places, Takii is pleased to introduce F1 Sunrich Orange DMR, the world’s first downy mildew high resistant variety for ornamental Helianthus.
F1 Sunrich Orange DMR is resistant to multiple strains of Downy Mildew (Plasmopara halstedii).
Picture 1
Plasmopara halstedii is one of the major plant pathogens infecting Helianthus. The symptom shows as light yellowish-green spots on the upper side of leaves alongside main veins (See pic.1), and eventually grows and spreads to become a lesion, and on its underside light gray mold grows. (See pic.2)
Picture 2
Severely infected plants will not have ornamental value. The stems will not reach enough height and will not be good quality cut flowers. (See pic.3)
With infected plants, residue Plasmopara halstedii overwinters in the soil and will become a source of primary infection the next spring. Plasmopara halstedii becomes active at temperatures between
Picture 3
15℃ to 25℃/59℉ to 77℉ and in high moisture soil conditions.
Therefore, when having a bad weather season, growers may suffer a large loss in cut flower production (See pic.4) unless proper preventive actions are taken, such as chemical use.
Picture 4
With the introduction of F1 Sunrich Orange DMR, the situation surrounding Helianthus production will be drastically changed. Growers do not have to worry any more about a Downy Mildew problem. This DMR breakthrough added-value provides substantial benefits with high yield results and the reduction of chemical use.
Plant height, growing speed as well as flower shape and color is similar to our market leading variety, F1 Sunrich Orange. The DMR variety flowers in 55-75 days after sowing, depending growing conditions and is suitable for spring through summer and autumn cultivations.
Seeds of F1 Sunrich Orange DMR were already delivered in several locations in Europe.
Here is one of the comments from growers who purchased DMR seeds and grew it in 2014 in the Netherlands.
F1 Sunrich Orange DMR displayed at FLOWERTRIALS 2014 in the Netherlands
“Last year the first pre-commercial trials were conducted and it was judged as a promising variety. This year due to warm and humid weather conditions in early spring in both the Netherlands and Germany, growers faced Downy Mildew problems seriously, which became an opportunity to verify that F1 Sunrich Orange DMR is a solution to Downy Mildew, the biggest problem in Helianthus growing.”
While receiving the above responses on a commercial scale, for the final review Takii Europe conducted a comparison trial sowing in the most infected fields in the Netherlands with wet, warm and humid conditions ideal for Downy Mildew. This trial was started in July when the pressure of Downy Mildew is high due to warm night temperatures of 18℃. The first results already show clear differences. (See pic. 5) As of four weeks after sowing, 5-7% of plants in an existing normal variety has been infected by downy mildew while F1 Sunrich Orange DMR shows no sign of infection.
Takii is very excited in reaching this significant milestone in ornamental Helianthus for the first time in the world to release the commercial Downy Mildew Resistant variety.
Picture 5 F1 Sunrich Orange DMR provides high yield because of no loss by Downy Mildew.
Notes:
F1 Sunrich Orange DMR highly restricts the growth and development of Downy Mildew (Plasmopara halstedii) and the damage caused under normal pathogen pressure when compared to susceptible varieties. It may exhibit some disease symptoms or damage under heavy pathogen pressure.
New and/or atypical strains of the specified pathogen may overcome the resistance, sometimes completely.
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