Sunflowers

Sunflower Hybrid Development Process
Devoted to continual research and development, Mycogen Seeds has established a tradition of excellence that’s reflected in our sunflower development process. We conduct disciplined testing throughout this process to ensure that only the very best hybrids become Mycogen® brand seed.

Breeding: Premier Genetics
It starts here, with the selection of a parent line by our breeders. Drawing on our collection of premier genetics, parent lines are chosen based on favorable characteristics displayed at our breeding research stations. Characteristics considered include seed characteristics, field agronomics, disease reaction, maturity, oil content and quality, and herbicide reaction.

Breeding: Multi-Generation Evaluation
Once a parent line is selected and bred, the plant is then subjected to heavy growing pressures to evaluate its performance. This evaluation process continues over four growth generations and helps us eliminate concept hybrids not performing up to the development standards of Mycogen Seeds.

Field Testing: Yield Trials
Concept hybrids showing promise are tested in extensive yield trials at multiple replicated plot locations. Our yield trials encompass 20,000 plots and 2,000 hybrids on a yearly basis. Yield trials are conducted at 16 plots throughout the Dakotas and High Plains.

Field Testing: Hybrid Testing Support
Mycogen Seeds sunflower hybrids are also tested in precommercial strip trials in 20 to 25 locations and commercial strip trials in more than 75 locations. Hybrids are evaluated for yield, oil percentage, oleic content and a variety of other characteristics.

Final Seed Selection: Laboratory Analysis
Before commercialization, hybrids must pass through final testing at our analytical lab. Our lab staff has innovative equipment and advanced procedures for accurately analyzing oil content and fatty acid profiles, which allow us to select only hybrids with the most desirable oil characteristics.

Final Seed Selection: Parent Seed Criteria
To ensure each hybrid meets quality, genetic and production requirements, promising hybrid parent lines are evaluated again prior to launch consideration for:

  • Female seed yields
  • Seed sizing characteristics
  • Flower date maturity

Final Seed Selection: Isoelectro Focusing Screening
All potential commercial parent lines also go through isoelectro focusing (IEF) screening. This screening takes place to ensure that our parent lines are genetically pure for commercial production.

Final Seed Selection: Launch
At this final stage, the sunflower hybrid has satisfied all requirements and criteria for advancement. Reviewed over many years in many different locations and environments, the hybrid is ready to become a member of the leading Mycogen Seeds lineup of sunflower hybrids.


Science. Yield. Success.™