Full explanation
Race identification: field study at a research institute (NAAS Institute of Oilseed Crops, Dnipro; Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute, Odesa) — 1–2 kg soil from 3–5 field points, incubation with sunflower test hybrids (Pl1, Pl5, Pl6, Pl7, Pl8), 4–6 weeks in greenhouse. Cost UAH 8–15 K [VERIFY], turnaround 2–3 weeks. Cheap alternative: query the nearest district Department of Agri-Policy and OSA — agronomists maintain race-distribution maps from prior seasons, accuracy ±1 race. Geographical distribution (2024): West/Polissia — races A–C (Pl5-6 suffices); Central Forest-Steppe — races D–E (Pl6–7); Steppe (Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Crimea) — races F–G (Pl8+ mandatory). Sunflower rotation 5+ years reduces Orobanche seed bank 40–60% but doesn't eliminate — the Pl gene remains key. Source: seed-kb.ts `orobanche_race_min` field + NAAS + Syngenta Field Scout Program.