Sunflower
Rust Rust colored pustules on leaves, latter black specks on
Puccini helianthi stems.
Sclerotinia head and stem rot Wilt soon after flowering. Light tan band around the stem at
Verticillium dahliae soil level. Grey-black sclerotia (size of seed) in rotted heads
and stems. Seed and meats discolored.
Phoma black stem Large chocolate colored blotches on stems at maturity.
Phoma macdonaldii
H. Insects, Pollinators, and Birds:
Bees are beneficial to sunflower yield because they carry pollen from plant to plant which
results in cross pollination. Some sunflower varieties will not produce highest yields
unless pollinators are present. All varieties will produce some sterile seed (without
meats), but varieties differ in their degree of dependence on insect pollinators.
Autogamous sunflower hybrids do not require bees for maximum yield and will yield the
annaabi.ee 
