Sunflower

Booklet No. 156 Oilseed Production: OSPS - 14

Contents Preface I. Introduction II. Climate III. Soil IV. Varieties V. Field Preparation VI. Seed and Sowing VII. Manures and Fertilizers VIII. Irrigation IX. Interculture X. Diseases XI. Insect Pests XII. Mixed Cropping XIII. Crop Rotations XIV. Harvesting and Yield XV. Flowering and Fruiting XVI. Uses and Importance XVII. Unfavourable Climate XVIII Economics of Cultivation. Preface Sunflower, popularly known as 'Surajmukhi', is a common ornamental plant in India. Its introduction as an oilseed crop is new in India. The oil is of high quality and edible, and has no chloestrol. It does well under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, particularly under dry farming conditions. This booklet gives the package of practices of sunflower cultivation. Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education I. Introduction Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an oil producing crop, belonging to the family Compositae. It is a native of southern United States and Mexico. The cultivation of sunflower as an oilseed crop began in Russia and presently it is cultivated in U.S.A., Argentina, Rumania, Spain, Yugoslavia, Turkey and South America. Its cultivation in India started in 1969 and presently about four million hectares of land is under cultivation, spread over in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Sunflower is a short duration crop which can be grown in all seasons and produce high quality edible and industrial oil and animal feed and fodders. II. Climate. Sunflower is a photo-insensitive crop and can grow in all the climatic conditions. It grows profusely under warm and sunny weather i.e. at a temperature range of between 26C to 30 Centigrade. The crop can be grown in a wide range of rainfall distributed areas and grows well where rain is about 50 cm with uneven distribution. This is also a drought resistant crop which can withstand frost and very low temperature at four- leaf stage. The best season for its

cultivation is kharif for North India and rabi for South Indian conditions. A warm (25C) and dry climate (40-50 RH) is the best suitable climate at flowering. III. Soil Sunflower can be grown in a wide range of soils. Well drained loamy or sandy loam, heavy black soils but not clay soils, are quite suitable for its deep rooted system to grow and get adequate aeration. The optimum range of pH of the soil is 6.5 to 8.5. Waterlogged soil, steep slopes and highly fertile soils are not suitable for this crop. IV. Varieties The important varieties of sunflower are described below. 1. EC-68414 This variety was released in 1972for general cultivation and is also called Peredovik. It is an introduction from the ex-USSR. The plant has a single branch and height is about 160-180 cm, with a head of 18-22 cm. The seeds are medium in size and black in colour, containing 45% oil. It matures in 80-90 days in kharif, 125-135 days during rabi and 105-115 days during the spring season. It yields an average of 15-25 quintal kernels per hectare. During kharif season, it is grown in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Aildhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. During rabi and spring season, it is grown in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, etc. 2. Modern Dwarf This variety was released in 1980 and its plant can attain the height of 85 to 90 cm. It is an early maturing variety and its seed setting is very good. It can be cultivated in almost all parts of India. 3. Arrnavirskij This Russian variety was relesed for general cultivation in 1972. It is also called EC68415. It is very suitable for cultivation in southern parts of the country both for khanf and rabl season. The plant attains 170- 200 cm height, has head of about 16 to 20 cm in diameter. The plant has a single branch. The variety matures in 80-90 days during kharif, 110-115 days during spring and about 125-135 days during rabi season. It yields an average of 15 to 25 quintals of grain per hectare and has 38 to 47% oil content. 4. BSH-l It is a hybrid variety released in 1978 from Karnataka. It is suitable for both rabi and summer season. The variety is resistant to rust and tolerant to alternaria leaf spot. It is an early maturing variety and suitable for cultivation through out India. The plant is 155 to 160 cm high and matures in 85 to 90 days and yields 16-20 quintals of grain per hectare. Its seeds contain 40-45% oil. 5. Armaverts It is also a Russian variety called EC-69874. It is a dwarf variety which attains a height of about 120-140 cm. It is recommended for rabi growing in Andhra Pradesh and spring season in Uttar Pradesh. Its seeds. are black in colour and matures in 70-80 days during kharif, 105-120 days in rabi and 100 to 110 days in spring season. It yields about 10 to 15 quintals of grain per hectare. 6. Sunrise Selection

It is a Canadian variety and most suitable for growing in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir during rabi and spring season. During kharif it can be grown in central parts of the country and Maharashtra. The plant has a single branch. It is a dwarf variety with a height of 14-0 to 160 cm and 14 to 18 cm of head diameter. Its seeds are medium black in colour and contain about 44% oil content. It matures in 80 -85 days during kharif, 115-125 days during rabi and 100-110 days during spring season and yield about 15-25 quintals of grain per hectare. 7. Vniimik It is an early maturing Russian variety called EC-68413. This is suitable for cultivation during kharif in Gujarat, Maharashtra, southern Rajasthan, Bun delkhand and Madhya Pradesh. During rabi and spring season it is grown in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. It is a tall variety of about 160 to 180 cm height having head 16 to 20 cm in diameter. The crop matures in 80-90 days during kharif, 125 to 135 days during rabi and 105- 115 days during spring season. It yields on an average 15-25 quintals of grain per hectare. Its seeds contain 43% oil. 8. Rornson Record The variety has been released in 1978 and is suitable for cultivation in Punjab. It has broad leaves and dark seeds and matures in about 108 days. It yields on an average 17 quintals of grain per hectare. Its seeds contain 41.2% oil content. 9. Surya Surya (PKV -SUF- 72- 73) has been released in 1982. It is most suitable for Maharashtra state. It has got better seed filling, more seed weight and increased oil yield per hectare than EC-68414. Its seeds are black in colour with white strips. V. Field Preparation Sunflower requires a well pulverized deep soil. Therefore, the fields are prepared by giving enough ploughings with soil turning plough and soil. stirring plough and make the soil loose up to the depth of 30 cm. Harrowing and planking are followed by ploughing which helps to conserve maximum moisture in the soil. Moisture content of the soil has an immense effect on seed germination because seed has thick hull and imbibe water at a low rate. VI. Seed and Sowing These two important aspects of the cultivation are described under the following subheadings. 1.Selection of seed Heavy and healthy seeds of 8-10 kg is sufficient to sow one hectare of land. To screen out light seed, seeds are dipped in 5% salt solution. The heavy seeds settle down at the bottom of the solution and light seed float over the surface. Light seeds are discarded and heavy seeds are washed in fresh water and then dried in the sun. 2. Seed treatment The selected seeds are treated with Agrosan-GN at the rate of3g/kg seed, to reduce the loss of plants from the damage of early stage diseases. Sunflower seed has hard seed coat, so it absorbs water very slowly. Therefore, the selected seeds are soaked in fresh water for two hours just before sowing in order to activate the dormant embryo.

3. Sowing time Sunflower is a photo-insensitive crop, so seasons have no influence in its germination. Therefore, this crop can be sown at any convenient time of the year. This crop is also a catch crop since it can grow in any period of the year, when field is vacant for 90-100 days. It can be grown as kharif crop by sowing it in July, as rabi crop by sowing in October and as spring crop by sowing it in March to April. 4. Method of sowing Sunflower seed can be grown by broadcasting, with seed drills or by dibbling method, keeping 60 cm distance between lines, 20 cm distance between plants at a depth of 4 cm in the moisture zone of the soil. A plant population of 60,000 plants per hectare gives an optimum plant density in the field. VII. Manures and Fertilizers Sunflower is an exhaustive crop and consumes high amount of manure i.e. 10-15 tonnes of well composed farmyard manure, is added to the soil a month before sowing. In addition to this the chemical fertilizers are also applied according to the recommendations of the soil test report. In general, 175 kg nitrogen, 65 kg phosphorus and 48 kg potash per hectare are applied. Two-third quantity of nitrogen and whole quantity of phosphorus and potash are applied as basal dose at the time of sowing. Remaining dose of nitrogen is applied as top dressing at the flowering stage. VIII. Irrigation Sul1flower crop does not require much water during the early stages. Generally no irrigation is required for kharif crops. The critical stages of the crop are presowing irrigations to get maximum germination, the five leaf stage for plant growth, flower bud stage and grain filling stage. If rain water is not enough at any of these stages then irrigations by canal or tubewell can be done. Irrigation at grain filling stage should be given light and on a calm, windless evening to avoid lodging. IX. Interculture 1. Thinning and gap filling Thinning and gap filling operations are performed during early stages of plant growth i.e. after 30 days of sowing. The extra plants are removed and gaps are filled with up-rooted plants which are grown separately for the purpose to ensure proper spacing and optimum plant population in the field. This operation helps in removing the sick plant, creating mulching to conserve soil moisture, weeding and providing aeration in the soil. This operation alone can increase 10-15% increase in sunflower seed 2. Hoeing and earthing up Sunflower plant, at heading stage is more likely to be damaged by blowing wind. Therefore, as a precautionary method, hoeing and earthing up is given to the young plants at the knee high stage with help of spades, which provides safeguard against lodging. This operation is useful in many ways like conserving soil moisture, weeding, providing space for irrigation and drainage. 3. Weed control :

Weed causes approximately 10-18% reduction in yield and should be removed as early as possible. Weeding can be done by khurpi or hand hoe during the first six weeks when plant growth is very slow. Use of weedicides before sowing is advantageous. Sirmate @ 4 kg or Basalin @ 1 kg per hectare in 800 litres of water is sprayed over the field as preplanting dose and mixed with soil thoroughly. Use of weedicide after emergence of seedlings is dangerous because sunflower is very sensitive to most of the weedicides. 4.Pollination Sunflower is strictly a cross-pollinated crop by honey bees. Poor insect population in the field will result in less pollination which will result in less yield. The flower opens during morning hours and one head completes its flowering (80%) in three days. The honey bees act as pollinating agent to flowers at the rate of 200 florets/bee/day between 9 a.m to 2 p.m. About 1012 honey bee colonies of reasonable size, scattered over the field per hectare are required for efficient fertilization of flowers and successful cultivation of the crop. Utmost care must be taken while spraying insecticide, so that it does not kill or disturb the honey bees activity in the field. X. Diseases Sunflower is attacked by a number of diseases during its growth period. The important diseases that cause damage to the crop are explained here. 1. Head rot This disease is caused by Rhizopus sp. The disease appears at the lower surface of the head i.e. where it is attached to the stalk in the form of irregular water soaked spots. The spots enlarge and become soft. These spots are covered with superficial mycelium. In case of severe infection whole head withers and drops down. High humid weather condition favours the spread of the disease. Disease can be controlled by spraying Dithane M-45 during the emergence of the head. 2. Sclerotinia wilt and rot This disease is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorium. The rabi crops are mostly affected by this disease. The plants can be affected at any stage of its growth. The sickly appearance of the plants can be seen from a long distance and a whitish growth of the fungus along with mustard seed like bodies can be seen over the affected plants near the soil surface. The affected portions become black, large and irregular. Sometimes rotting of stems and head are also noticed. The shredding of stem and heads also take place. 3. Charcoal rot It is one of the most important diseases of the sunflower. The disease is caused by fungus Macrophomina phaseoli. The summer crop is mostly affected by this disease. The affected plant's stem becomes black on maturing. The flower heads remain undersized and ultimately death of the plant takes place. 4. Seed rot After sowing, some seeds rot due to the presence of moulds on its surface. It results in poor plant population in the field. Disease can be controlled by treatment of seed with Captan @ 3 g /kg of seed and growing resistant varieties. 5. Alternaria blight This disease is caused by the fungus Altemalja helianthi. In this disease dark brown to black round spots appear on the leaves, which later on become concen tric. Usually chlorotic

zone is formed round the spots. These zones coalesce and cause blight of leaves under favourable climatic conditions. The dead leaves dry up and fall down or droop on the stems. The disease is more severe during rainy season. The disease can be controlled by spraying Dithane M-45 @ 3 kg dissolved in 1000 litres of water /hectare. Total four sprays are required at weekly interval. 6. Sclerotium wilt The disease is caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. The crop can be attacked by this disease at any stage of its growth. A whitish growth of the fungus along with small bodies round In shape can be seen over the affected plants near the soil surface. First spray should be given as the disease starts appearing on the lower leaves. 7. Powdery mildew This disease is caused by Erysiphe cichorceamm. White patches of growth are formed on the upper surface of the leaves. High temperature and dry conditions are most favorable for the spread of this disease. It causes severe damage to the crops. To control the disease spray the crop with the wettable sulphur or Morestan (0.2%). 8. Rust This disease is caused by Puccinia helianthi. Small, circular and reddish brown pustules appear mainly on the lower surface of leaves. The disease is very severe during kharif season. The disease occurs from seed stage to seed development stage of the crop. To control the disease, spray Dithane. Z- 78 or Dithane M-45 (0.4%). Some general control measures mentioned below should be adopted for curing the diseases effectively. 1. Do not grow the fresh crop on an already affected land. 2. Follow 3 to 4 years crop rotation. 3. Keep the field clean by removing the weeds. 4. Remove the infected plants and bum them. 5. Use only certified seeds from a reputed firm. XI. Insect Pests The most important insect pests which attack the crop are described here. 1. Bihar hairy caterpillar The caterpillar has hairs on its body so it is called hairy caterpillar. It is a serious pest of the crop and causes great damage. The female lays eggs in clusters on the leaves of the plant that hatch in three to four days and tiny larvae comes out and feed gregariously on these plants for some time. Then they migrate to other plants for food and feed on leaves by leaving only their veins. Control 1. Spray Thiodan 35 EC @ 1.5 litres in 600-800 litres of water/hectare. Repeat the process two or three times at an interval of 12-15 days. 2. Spray Metasystox 25 EC @ 1 litre in 600-800 litres of water on leaves at least two times at an interval of 10 to 15 days. 2. Jassids

They suck the plant sap of leaves and make the plant weak. Both nymphs and adults attack the crop and the nymphs are found along the veins of the leaves. The leaves and stem turn yellow in colour, dry up and droop down. A great loss is caused by these jassids. Control 1. Spray Metasystox 25 EC @ 1 litre in 600 litres of water/hectare. 2. SprayRogor30EC@ 1 litre in 600litres of water/hectare. 3. Dimecron 100EC @250mlin 100litresofwater/hectare. 3. Cutworms The seedlings are cut by the larva of this pest at the ground level. Usually they cut the plants in patches throughout the field especially if sunflower is sown after potato or in a vegetable area. Caterpillars are gray in colour. They live in the soil under clods or debris during day time and feed at night. Control 1. Dust 3%Heptachlor @ 25 kg/hectare at the base of the plants 2. Dust 10% of BHC @ 25-30 kg/hectare during sowing time in the soil. 3. Spray 6% Heptachlor @ 15 kg/hectare at the time of preparation of land. 4. Ear head pest This also is a serious pest of sunflower crop. The female lays eggs on flower buds. After hatching, the caterpillars make small, tunnels in the disc and feed on the developing seeds by hiding in them. Control 1. Spray 0.05% Endosulfan first when flower buds are fully developed and again after 15 days. 2. Remove the attacked plants and burn them. XII. Mixed Cropping Sometimes sunflower crop is sown mixed with pulse crop such as Arhar, moong, beans etc. This practice of intercropping is most common in rainfed dryland cultivation. The intercropping with sunflower is advantageous as it does not disturb purity of the products for pulse and sunflower seeds. XIII. Crop Rotations Crop Rotations Sunflower is a heavy feeder of plant nutrients, therefore, to maintain the soil fertility the shallow rooted crops like wheat, paddy are followed by deep rooted crops like sunflower and leguminous crops. Some of the important crop rotation are given here. 1. Maize -potato -sunflower 2. Sunflower -safflower 3. Maize -toria -sunflower 4. Maize -toria -sugarcane -ratoon -sunflower 5. Paddy -sunflower 6. Maize -sunflower 7. Sunflower -mustard -paddy

XIV. Harvesting and Yield Sunflower plant is mostly single branched and bears a single head per plant. The heads do not mature at the same time in the field. The florets of each heads vary in their maturity, therefore, the fields are harvested in 3-4 installments to avoid shattering of seeds. The mature head, which is turning yellowish brown on its back, with lowest moisture contents (20%) is cut with the help of a sickle. Harvested .heads are preferably dried in the sun to reduce moisture content or dried in stores with blowing hot air at 25C to 35C. If the heads have high moisture content, then the temperature of the hot air is adjusted to the lowest i.e. (25 0 C). The threshed seeds are further dried to 10% moisture contents, for storage and oil extraction purpose. The average yield of sunflower is about 20-25 quintals per hectare of seed kernel containing 45% oil. XV. Flowering and Fruiting The inflorescence is a typical of Compositeae family. Flower is protandrous,(i.e. male and female parts of flower mature at different times) therefore, it is a cross pollinated crop. Heads are 10 -50 cm in diameter with 40 -80 rays. A single head produces 350 -2000 seeds which are black or mixed in colour. XVI. Uses and Importance Sunflower seed yields 45% good quality edible oil. Its oil possesses good odour, cholestrol reducing properties and make it fit for human consumption. The oil is rich in linoleic acid (64%) which can dissolve cholestrol deposits in the arteries of the heart and thus is used as a medicine for heart patients. Sunflower kernels are used as baby food after roasting. Oil cakes contain 40% protein, therefore, suitable for mixing in poultry or livestock rations. Green plant is a palatable fodder for animals when it is mixed with other fodder. Dry plant makes an ample quantity of fuel for cooking food etc. Sunflower crop is a short duration crop and can be grown all the year around. Therefore, this crop is best to cultivate as catch crop in fallow fields. Sunflower oil is also used in making soaps and cosmetics. It is an ornamental plant for parks and gardens. Sunflower is an industrial crop. All the seed produced is processed, graded oil is extracted, refined, and packed by heavy industries. Oil cakes are mixed with other concentrates for granular feed which has excellent palatability and nutritive value. Sunflower oil is converted into special medicines by use of industry. XVII. Unfavourable Climate Sunflower responds well to all the fluctuations of the climate during its plant growth period. At seedling stage factors like water stress, (low or heavy rains), temperature fluctuations (below200C and above 40C) damage the seedlings and reduce the plant stand. This crop is highly sensitive to temperature and moisture content of the air at flowering stage. High humidity, cloudy weather and continuous rains at flower to maturity results in poor seed set. High winds and rains cause high plant mortality. High temperature at maturity (about 35C) decrease the contents of linoleic acid. Warm (25C) and humid (75% RH) climate is conducive for diseases to spread. XVIII. Economics of Cultivation.

Most of the sunflower growers do not maintain records or accounts properly. So it is very difficult to make out whether the enterprise is at a loss or profit. This is due to the ignorance of proper methods of cost\ benefit calculations. Given below is a format for determining the cost benefit of sunflower cultivation. From this format a farmer can choose whatever is applicable to him. A. Fixed cost 1. Cost of the land Rs 2. Cost of farm building and storage structure, etc. Rs 3. Cost of fencing Rs 4. Cost of clearing, leveling and bunding of the land Rs 5. Cost of farm machines, implements, instruments and other accessories (spade, khurpi, sprayers, hoes, bags, etc.) Rs. 6. Cost of permanent irrigation channels Rs 7. Any other expenditure Rs B. Recurring cost 1. Cost of field preparation a. Cost of ploughing Rs b. Cost of removing weeds and stones Rs 2. Cost of seed and sowing a. Cost of seeds Rs b. Cost of seed treatment Rs c. Transport charges Rs d. Cost of sowing Rs e. Cost of honey bees and their feeding Rs 3. Cost of fertilizers and manures a. Cost of F. Y.M./compost Rs b. Cost of chemical fertilizers Rs c. Cost of transport Rs d. Cost of labour for their application Rs e. Soil testing charges Rs 4. Cost of plant protection measures f. Cost of fungicides/ pesticides Rs g. Cost of transport Rs h. Labour charges for application Rs i. Cost of weedicides and their application Rs 5. Cost of irrigation and its application charges Rs 6. Watch and ward charges Rs 7. Harvesting and storage costs a. Labour charges for harvesting Rs b. Labour charges for threshing Rs c. Cost of gunny bags Rs d. Cost of packing Rs e. Cost of storage Rs 8. Crop insurance charges Rs 9. Land revenue/rent Rs 10. Any other expenditure Rs 11. Depreciation of farm tools and buildings Rs Total recurring cost Rs

C. Income 1. Cost of grains Rs 2. Cost of fodder Rs 3. Any other income Rs Total income Rs D. Profit Net profit = Gross income -Total recurring Cost Purchase value -Junk value Depreciation = ---------------------------------------------Life span Remark: Junk value is calculated only on those I articles which can be resold after their life span. Life span of building and machinery is 15 years and 10 years, respectively. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%