Rhizopus Head Rot of Sunflower in Nebraska

Sunflower production in Nebraska and other areas of the Central High Plains has been increasing in the last decade. The crop is well-adapted to this region and can be successfully cultivated in both dryland and irrigated areas. The common diseases affecting sunflowers in this region are caused by fungi and are generally more severe in irrigated production. The most economically damaging disease is head rot, which is caused by fungal pathogen Rhizopus.