SUNFLOWER

Sunflower, the name "Helianthus" is derived from ‘Helios’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘anthus’ meaning ‘flower’. It called as sunflower as it follow the sun, always turning toward its direct rays. It is important oilseed crop of country. Sunflower oil is most popular because of its light color, bland flavor, high smoke point and high level of linoleic acid which is good for heart patient. Sunflower seed contains about 48– 53 percent edible oil.

It can be grown on wide range of soil from sandy loam to black soils. It gives best result when grown under fertile, well-drained soil. It can tolerate slight alkaline soil. Avoid sowing in acidic also water logging soil. Ideal pH is around 6.5-8. Crop rotation follows in Punjab, Rice/Maize - Potato-Sunflower, Rice-Toria-Sunflower, Cotton-sunflower, Sugarcane-sugarcane ratoon-sunflower and kharif-fodder - toria-sunflower.

Medium height hybrid varieties:

MSFH 8: The variety gets mature in 92-94 days. The variety has 170-180cm plant height. It contains 42-44% of oil content. The average weight of 100 grains is 4-5gms. It gives an average yield of 11-12qtl/acre.

MSFH 17: The variety gets mature in 85-88 days. The variety has 200-210cm plant height. It contains 40-41% of oil content. The average weight of 100 grains is 6-8gms. It gives an average yield of 11-12qtl/acre.

Tall height Composite varieties:

EC 68415: The variety gets mature in 100-110 days. This variety has 150-200cm of plant height. It gives 3.5-4qtl/acre of seed yield. The seed contains 40-42% of oil content.

Ramsan Record.

Other state varieties:

Jwalamukhi: It is medium tall hybrid crop. Its average plant height is about 170cm. Ready to harvest in 120 days. It gives average yield of 7.3qtl/acre. Oil contain is about 42%.

GKSFH 2002: It is medium tall hybrid crop. Ready to harvest in about 115 days. It gives average yield of 7.5qtl/acre. Oil contain is about 42.5%.

SH 3322: It is variety having plant height of 160cm. Ready to harvest in 120 days. Its average yield is 8.3qtl/acre. Oil contain is about 43%.

PSFH 118: It is short duration hybrid having average plant height of 155cm. Ready to harvest in 98days. It gives average yield of 7.6qtl/acre. It contains 40.5% oil content.

PSH 569: Plant height is about 162cm. Ready to harvest in 98days. It is suitable for late sowing condition. Its average yield is 7.44qtl/acre. It contains 36.3% oil content.

PSH 996: Medium tall hybrid with average plant height of 141cm. Ready to harvest in 96 days. It gives average yield of 7.8qtl/acre. Oil contain is about 35.8%. It is suitable for late sowing.

Variety: DRSF 108, PAC 1091, PAC-47, PAC-36, Sungene-85, Morden.

Hybrids: KBSH 44, APSH-11, MSFH-10, BSH-1, KBSH-1, TNAU-SUF-7, MSFH-8, MSFH-10, MLSFH-17, DRSH-1, Pro.Sun 09.
 

To prepare fine seed bed, carry out two to three ploughing operation followed by planking.

Time of sowing
15th January to 15th February is optimum time for sowing.

Spacing
Use composite variety use spacing of 45cm between the row while keep plant to plant spacing of 30cm. Whereas for hybrid use row to row spacing of 60cm and keep 30cm plant to plant distance.

Sowing Depth
Sow the seeds at depth of 3-5cm.

Method of sowing
For sowing dibbling method is used. Also placing seeds on flat bed or ridge with help of row crop planter is used for sunflower sowing.

Seed Rate
Use seed rate of 4 kg/acre for sowing. For hybrid use seed rate of 1.5-2 kg/acre.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing for quick germination, soak seeds in water for 24 hour and shade dry. Then treat seeds with Thiram@2gm per kg of seeds. It will protect seeds from soil borne pest and disease. To protect crop from downy mildew, treat seeds with Metalaxyl@6gm per kg of seeds. Treat seeds with Imidacloprid@5-6ml per kg of seeds.

 Use any one fungicide/insecticide from given below.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

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Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For composite variety apply N:P@ 24:16 kg/acre in form of Urea@50kg, SSP@100 kg in soil. And for hybrids, apply Nitorgen@40kg in form of Urea@90kg and Phosphorus@20kg in form of SSP@125 kg/acre. Apply half dose of nitrogen and full dose of P at time of sowing. Apply rest of nitrogen at time of first irrigation. For accurate dose of fertilizer do soil testing and apply doses on basis of it.

WSF: For better vegetative growth spray watersoluble 19:19:19@5 gm/Ltr of water when crop is at 5-6 leaves stage take two sprays at eight days interval. Spray Boron@2gm/Ltr of water at ray floret opening stage.     

Keep sunflower field weed free during first 45days of crop period and irrigate the crop at critical stages. Two to three weeks after sowing, complete first weeding operation followed by second weeding operation three weeks afterwards. To control weeds chemically, spray with Pendimethalin@1Ltr in 150-200Ltr per acre as pre emergence herbicide within 2-3days after sowing.

To protect crop from lodging, when crop is 60-70cm tall but before flowering complete earthing up operation.

For good growth and yield, usually five to six irrigations are required. Apply first irrigation one month after sowing. When crop is at 50% flowering, soft and hard dough stage is critical for irrigation. Water stress during this stage leads to severe yield loss. Avoid excessive or two frequent irrigation as it increases chances of wilt and root rot attacked.

Honey bees play important role in increasing seed set, If honeybee activity is low, then supplemental hand pollination on alternate days preferably in morning hours, between 8-11 am. for about 7-10 days for this purpose cover hand with muslin cloth.

 

• Pest and their control:
  

Tobacco caterpillar: These are serious pest of sunflower. There infestation is observed during April-May month. They feed on leaves.

Destroy young larva along with damage crops away from field. If infestation of tobacco caterpillar is seen, spray Fipronil SC@2ml/ Ltr of water. In severe case take two sprays at 10days interval or Spray Spinosad@5ml/10Ltr of water or Nuvaan+Indoxacarb@1ml/Ltr water.

Head borer or American bollworm: It is serious pest of sunflower. It damage plant as these are feed on tissue and developing grains in head. Fungus is developed and heads get rotted. Larva shows color variation from greenish to brown.

To determine pest intensity use pheromone traps@4traps/acre. If infestation is observed spray of Carbaryl@1 kg or Acephate@800 gm or Chlorpyriphos@200ml in 100Ltrs of water per acre is required.

Bihar hairy caterpillar: Young larvae feed on leaves mostly under surface of leaves. Due to infestation, drying up of plant is observed. Larvae are of yellow color with black hairs.

Destroy young larva along with damage crops away from field. If infestation is seen, spray Fipronil SC @ 2ml/ Ltr of water. In severe case take two sprays at 10days interval or Spray Spinosad@5ml/10Ltr of water.

Jassid: Incidence of sucking pests like jassid is observed in bud initiation stage. In jassid attacked cupped, crinkled leaves and burnt appearance are symptoms of damage.

If incidence of sucking pest is noticed in 10-20% of plants, Spray crop with neem seed kernel extract@50gm/Ltr of water.

• Disease and their control:
  

Rust: Rust disease may cause yield loss up to 20%.

If infestation of Rust is observed, for effective control, take sprays of Tridemorph@1gm/Ltr or Mancozeb@2gm/Ltr. Take 2nd spray at 15days interval or Hexaconazole@2ml/Ltr of water in twice at 10 days interval.
 

Charcoal Rot: Affected plant get weaker and mature earlier also black ashy discoloration of the stem is observed. After pollination, sudden wilting of plant is observed.

Soil application of Trichoderma viride@250gm per acre along with 20Kg of well decomposed cow dung or sand at 30 days after sowing. Moreover spraying of Carbendazim@3gm per litre water is done.

Stem rot: Symptoms are notices within 40days of sowing. Plant become sick and can observe from distance. White cottony fungus is observed on nearby soil surface of affected plant. Before sowing do seed treatment with Thiram@2gm per kg of seeds.

Alternaria Blight: It is a serious disease, it cause reduction in seed and oil yield. Dark, brown black spots are developed first on lower leaves, later spread to middle and upper leaves. In severe infestation spots are observed on stem, petioles.

If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb@3gm per Ltr of water four times with interval of 10days.

Head Rot: Initially, brown irregular water soak spots are observed on back side of ripening head. Afterwards spot get large and pulpy and get covered with white cottony fungus later on it become black.

Injury before flowering or during the early stage of head development is unlikely to favor infection so avoid injury to head. If infection is observed, take spray of Mancozeb@2gm per Ltr of water.

Complete harvesting of crop when all leaves are dry and back of head turns lemon yellow color. Do not delay in harvesting as it leads to lodging of crop also chances of termite attacked increases.

After separations of heads, dry them for 2-3days. Proper drying leads to easy separation of seeds. Threshing of heads can be done either manually by beating them with sticks or rubbing them or with power operated thresher. After threshing, dry seed before storage, bring moisture content to 9-10%.