Silflower Research at the U of M
Silphium integrifolium, common name Wholeleaf Rosinweed, is a perennial wildflower native to the central United States. It has been identified as having high potential as a perennial oilseed crop because of its relatively large seeds. Most oilseed crops such as soybean, canola, and sunflower are annual plants, which require annual planting and subsequent soil disturbance. Silphium integrefolium is also known to sustain seed production under drought; an important trait for an agricultural crop in a changing climate. Given its dense crown and root system, Silphium integrefolium can contribute to carbon sequestration and soil fertility.
Silphium integrefolium that is undergoing domestication is called Silflower.
Breeding Goals
Collaboration
Perennial Oilseeds Lab, The Land Institute
David Van Tassel is the lead of The Perennial Oilseeds Lab at The Land Institute and has led Silphium research there since 2001. We work closely with The Perennial Oilseeds lab for germplasm exchange and trial planning. Silphium: David's work is covered in this interview with the Salina Journal.
Sustainable Cropping Systems, University of Minnesota
Jake Jungers is the lead of the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab in the Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. We work closely with the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab in our trials at Univ. of MN stations to assess soil and water traits.
Forever Green Initiative, University of Minnesota
The Forever Green Initiative supports our team in many ways, currently providing their expertise via the Commercialization team to help us envision next steps for Silflower.
Brandvain Lab, University of Minnesota
Yaniv Brandvain in the College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, has been a valuable resource for developing genetics and genomics resources for Silphium integrefolium.
Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS, Fargo, ND
Brent Hulke's main research at the Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center is on Sunflower but they have had an interest in Silflower for the last 10 years as well. The Hulke lab is working on developing easier methods to predict oil quality.
Functional Foods Research Lab, USDA-ARS, Peoria, IL
Sean Liu collaborates with us to analyze Silflower oil samples at the Functional Foods Research Lab.
Picasso Lab, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Picasso Lab researches forage and perennial grain systems. We work with them on trial collaborations.
Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology
The Alex Harkess lab at the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology is developing a Silphium genome.