ARS scientists will be cooperating with other researchers at the Kennedy Space Center and several universities. The project is in its earliest stages with experiments being designed and coordinated between agencies. ARS geneticists have identified genes in a species of wild sunflower called Helianthus paradoxus that enable seedlings to withstand the salts. That salinity tolerance trait has been bred into some experimental sunflower lines. This trait could also provide drought tolerance that would boost acreages capable of producing sunflowers.
Salts build up usually in soils in dry areas that have been irrigated excessively.
Burning old vegetation encourages growth of forage grasses and suppresses weeds. The first of thousands of CRP contracts are due to expire this year. The CRP was initiated in 1986 to protect highly erodible crop land. The first bale of cotton harvested in the United States last year was a new, early-maturing, commercial variety, bred from germplasm developed and released by ARS a couple of years ago. The new cotton offers some natural protection against silverleaf whiteflies.