Sunflower, the name "Helianthus" is derived from ‘Helios’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘anthos’ meaning ‘flower’. It called as sunflower as it follows 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 % edible oil.

It can be cultivated in all type of well-drained soil. Well drained sandy loam or loamy soil having sufficient moisture holding capacity is suitable for Sunnhemp grown for fibre purpose.  
 

Mordern: Ready to harvest in 75-80 days. Gives average yield of 4 to 4.8 qtl/acre with 34-38% oil content.

Surya: Ready to harvest in 80-85 days. Gives average yield of 4.8-6 qtl/acre with 35-37% oil content.

KVSH 1: It is a hybrid variety, ready to harvest in 90-95 days. Gives average yield of 7.2-8 qtl/acre with 43-45% oil content.

SH 3322: It is a hybrid variety, Ready to harvest in 90-95 days. Gives average yield of 8.8 to 10 qtl/acre with 40-42% oil content.

MSFH 17: It is a hybrid variety, Ready to harvest in 90-95 days. Gives average yield of 7.2-8 qtl/acre with 35-40% oil content.

VSF 1: It is a hybrid variety, Ready to harvest in 90-95 days. Gives average yield of 7.2-8 qtl/acre with 35-40% oil content.

Other state varieties:

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

KBSH 1, MSFH 8, PAC 36, KBSH 44, HSFH 848, PCSH 234

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.

MSFH 17, PAC 1091, PROSEN 09, HSFH 848
 

To prepare fine seed bed, carry out two to three ploughing operations followed by planking. To prepare land after harvesting of potato, mustard or sugarcane, plough land for two-three times with help of local plough and bring soil to fine tilth. 

Time of sowing
In summer season, complete sowing in second fortnight of February month. Avoid delay in sowing as crop at harvesting stage get caught in rain thus it affects the yield drastically.
For rainfed areas, last week of July to second week of August is optimum time for sowing.

Spacing
For sowing, use row to row distance of 45 cm and plant to plant distance of 15 cm.
 
Sowing Depth
Sow the seeds at depth of 4-5 cm.

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

Seed Rate
For variety, use seed rate of 4.8-6 kg/acre for sowing. For hybrid, use seed rate of 2-2.4 kg/acre.

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

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For composite variety apply N:P:K@ 32:24:18kg/acre in form of Urea@70 kg, SSP@150 kg and MOP@30 kg per acre in soil.

And for Hybrids, apply Nitorgen@41 kg in form of Urea@90 kg, Phosphorus@24 kg in form of SSP@150 kg/acre and Potash@18 kg/acre in form of MOP@30 kg per acre.

Apply half dose of nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus, Potash at the time of sowing. Apply rest of nitrogen at the time of first irrigation i.e. 25-30 days after sowing. Also, apply Gypsum@80 kg per acre at time of sowing. Apply fertilizer, 5 cm away from seed line.

For accurate dose of fertilizer do soil testing and apply doses on basis of it.

WSF: For better vegetative growth spray, water-soluble 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@2 gm/Ltr of water at ray floret opening stage.
 

Keep sunflower field weed free during first 45 days 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@1 Ltr in 150-200 Ltr per acre as pre-emergence herbicide within 2-3 days after sowing.
To protect crop from lodging, when crop is 60-70 cm tall but before flowering complete earthing up operation.
 

For good growth and yield, usually four to five irrigations are required. For heavy soils three to four irrigations are sufficient. Apply first irrigation 20-25 days after sowing. Depending upon water requirement, when crop is at 50% flowering, soft and hard dough stage are critical for irrigation. Water stress during this stage leads to severe yield loss. Avoid excessive or too frequent irrigation as it increases the chances of wilt and attack of root rot.
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@1Ltr in 100Ltrs of water per acre is required.

Jassid: Incidence of sucking pests like jassids 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 Tricoderma viride @1Kg per ha along with 20Kg of well decomposed cow dung or sand at 30 days after sowing. Do spot application of Carbendazim@1gm/ litre of water.

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%.