Researchers are developing specialty sunflowers that produce oils with highly marketable characteristics.
Amount: $1.17 million
Repair of critical deferred maintenance including replacing laboratory facilities' HVAC systems and components.
September 2009 - Construction contract awarded for $1,226,333 for the replacement of the HVAC systems
Research at the Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center
The mission of the Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center is to reduce the negative impact of foreign chemicals in food animals and food processing; improve effectiveness of integrated pest management programs for control of insects and weeds; study physiology, genetics, and molecular biology of weeds to improve and/or discover better management strategies. This work helps consumers have access to healthier food while reducing farming's impact on the environment.
For example, the Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center's sugarbeet and potato research units have contributed valuable genetic lines that are used by industry and provide resistance to some of the most economically limiting insects, diseases, and postharvest issues that affect these respective industries. The most recent accomplishments include the release of five new potato cultivars that are being used in the potato chip and potato processing industries. These cultivars will increase the affordability of potato production and ultimately reduce costs for consumers.
The sunflower research unit of the Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center develops new sunflower germplasm to produce new, healthy cooking oils. Based on work by this laboratory, a new widely-used brand of cooking oil has been developed known as NuSun, a monounsaturated oil low in trans fats and linked to many health benefits. Frito-Lay's entire fried potato chip line will be produced with NuSun oil.
A new oat variety, developed at the ARS Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, packs 50 percent more of the soluble oat fiber called beta-glucan. Combined with a healthy diet, beta- glucan can help lower blood levels of bad LDL cholesterol, diminishing the risk of heart disease. The higher levels of beta-glucan in HiFi mean a consumer could eat less of a whole oat product made with the new variety to get the same health benefit.
ARS researchers in Fargo developed three spring wheat germplasm lines available for breeding commercial wheat varieties resistant to the Hessian fly. Resistance in wheat is critical to stopping the Hessian flyduringits maggot stagefrom feeding inside the plant, causing stems to buckle or stunting growth. The fly is a major insect pest of wheat in most states where the crop is grown.
Biosciences Research Laboratory
Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Unit
Insect Genetics & Biochemistry Unit
Primary research projects include:
Plant Science Research Unit
Northern Crop Science Research Laboratory
Cereal Crops Unit
Sugarbeet & Potato Unit
Sunflower Research Unit