Collection: SUNFLOWER

Sunflower is an essential oilseed crop widely cultivated in India and globally. The Sunflower crop is grown in India and around the world. Sunflower seeds are used for oil production and in baked goods, snacks, and other food products. Sunflower oil is preferred due to its light taste and highly favourable levels of unsaturated fats. Sunflower oil is one of the most widely used cooking oils in various parts of the world. Sunflower oil is also used in the production and processing of margarine, biodiesel, and industrial products.

Sunflower seeds are rich in proteins, dietary fibres, and other nutrients, especially vitamins E and B. Sunflower seeds are also a good source of magnesium, zinc, and iron. In addition to culinary uses, Sunflower is relevant for soil phytoremediation as it can absorb heavy metals from the soil, assisting in environmental cleaning. Sunflower is also known as Surajmukhi. 

 Climate for Sunflower Cultivation

Sunflowers are a resilient crop. Sunflowers were initially grown in temperate regions, but now, they are well-adapted to both tropical and subtropical climates. Sunflower seeds need cooler temperatures for germination and seedling growth. Surajmukhi plants require warm, sunny weather as they mature from seedling to flowering.

The ideal temperature range for growth of Surajmukhi plants is between 24–26°C during the day. If temperatures rise above 35°C for extended periods, it can harm Surajmukhi seed production and reduce oil content.

Due to the deep roots, sunflower plants are drought-tolerant and can grow with an annual rainfall of just 500–700 mm. Too much humidity and rainfall during the flowering period can interfere with the development of Surajmukhi seeds.

Soil for Sowing Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers can adapt to different soil types. However, Surajmukhi plants grow best in medium black to black soils that hold moisture well. Surajmukhi plants do not tolerate waterlogging, so ensuring good drainage is key to healthy growth.

Although sunflowers can handle a bit of salinity, high levels can seriously affect their yield and Sunflower seed quality. The best soil pH for growing sunflowers is between 6.5 and 8.5.

Land Preparation for Sowing Sunflower Seeds

The soil requires one or two ploughings with a soil-turning plough or M.B. plough, followed by two to three harrowings and planking to achieve a well-pulverized seedbed for better germination and growth of sunflower seeds. At the preparation stage, applying about 10 to 15 tons of well-decomposed FYM will enhance soil fertility. In puddled areas, raised beds or ridges should be made to avoid waterlogging. Precautions related to clods should be taken by levelling the land to ensure a fine seedbed for sowing sunflower seeds.

Sunflower Seeds and Propagation Material

Selection of a Sunflower Variety: Select a sunflower variety based on factors such as climate, region, purpose of cultivation, etc.

Procurement of Sunflower Seeds: One should source quality sunflower seeds to ensure a good crop. At Desikheti, a wide range of high-quality sunflower seeds are available, with doorstep delivery options.

Sunflower Seed Rate: The seed rate required for the sunflower crop is around 2 kg of sunflower seeds per acre

Sunflower Seed Treatment: Generally, the sunflower seeds sold by private sectors are treated with chemicals. If the sunflower seeds are not pre-treated, then treat them with Captan at 3 g per kg of seed to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Time of Sowing Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower crops are photo-insensitive and can be grown year-round. The optimal sowing time for sunflowers depends on the region and season, crop variety, etc. In the Kharif season, sunflower seeds are usually sown in August.

In the Rabi season, sunflower seeds are sown from the first fortnight of September to the first fortnight of October as a rainfed crop. In the case of irrigated crops, sunflower seeds are sown in the months of November to December. As a summer crop, sunflower seeds are generally sown from the Second fortnight of January to the first week of February.

The sowing date should be planned in such a way as to ensure that the flowering period of sunflower plants does not coincide with heavy rains, as this can negatively impact pollination and seed set.

Method of Sowing Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are usually sown in rows using a seed drill or behind a plough. It is preferable to align the rows in a North-South direction since sunflowers have phototropic behaviour, meaning sunflower heads will face east in the morning and west in the evening as they grow.

For proper germination, sunflower seeds can be sown at a depth of 4–5 cm. Thinning of sunflower seedlings should be done about 15 days after sowing sunflower seeds. Thinning helps to reduce competition between Surajmukhi plants, ensuring that only one plant grows per hill for optimal development.

Nutrient Management in Sunflower Cultivation

The exact fertilizer recommendations depend on various factors such as the soil type, region, etc. For rainfed sunflower crops, the general fertilizer recommendation is 60 kg of nitrogen, 40 kg of phosphorus, and 30 kg of potassium per hectare. For irrigated Surajmukhi crop, the general fertilizer dose applied is 80 kg of nitrogen, 60 kg of phosphorus, and 40 kg of potassium per hectare.

For rainfed Surajmukhi crops, half of the nitrogen is applied as a basal dose, and the remaining half is applied 30 days after sowing Sunflower seeds. For irrigated crops, one-third of the nitrogen is applied as basal dose, and the rest of the nitrogen is split into two equal applications, one at 25 to 30 days after sowing Sunflower seeds and the second at 50 to 55 days after sowing Surajmukhi seeds.

Entire Quantity of phosphorus and potassium are applied as a basal dose. Sulphur is important for boosting Sunflower seed oil yield. So, it's advised that 25 kg of elemental sulphur per hectare be applied during the final ploughing.

Irrigation Management in Sunflower Farming

Sunflower plants can withstand short periods of drought due to their deep root system. Surajmukhi is highly responsive to irrigation. The sunflower crop is sensitive to moisture stress during key stages such as bud initiation (30 days after sowing sunflower seeds), flower opening (45-50 days after sowing sunflower seeds), and seed filling (60-75 days after sowing sunflower seeds). Moisture stress at these stages can significantly reduce Surajmukhi seed and oil yield.

The total number of irrigations depends on the season, ranging from 3-6 irrigations during the kharif season and 4-8 irrigations during the rabi season. Irrigation should be stopped about 20 days before harvest.

Weed Management in Sunflower Cultivation

Weed control is crucial for Surajmukhi crops, especially during the early stages of growth. Sunflower has a slow growth rate between 4 to 6 weeks after sowing sunflower seeds, making it highly susceptible to weed competition. Maintaining a weed-free condition during this period is essential for achieving better yields in Surajmukhi crops.

The sunflower crop experiences significant weed competition from 30-45 days after sowing sunflower seeds. Therefore, to control weeds effectively, it is recommended to carry out two inter-cultivations or hand weedings at 15 and 30 days after sowing Surajmukhi seeds.

Pest and Disease Management in Sunflower Cultivation

Common Pests of Sunflower

Leaf Eating Caterpillar (Helicoverpa armigera)

• Caterpillars primarily eat Surajmukhi plant leaves and the softer parts of stems.
• This pest is known to damage foliage, tender flower heads, and developing Surajmukhi seeds.
• In severe cases, Sunflowers plants can lose all their leaves, leaving them completely bare.

Leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula)

• Both leafhopper nymphs and adults feed on the sap from the underside of sunflower leaves.
• As they feed, the Surajmukhi leaves curl and eventually dry out and drop.
• The damage also makes the Surajmukhi leaves crinkled and cup-shaped, with brownish-red edges—a condition commonly known as "hopper burn."
• Severe infestations can stunt Surajmukhi plant growth and leave the plant weakened.

Bihar Hairy Caterpillar (Spilosoma obliqua)

• The larvae feed on Sunflower leaves, leaving plants defoliated.
• They can even move to nearby fields, spreading the damage.

Common Diseases of Sunflower

Sunflower Necrosis Disease (Tobacco streak virus)

• Necrosis starts as small, irregular patches on the Sunflower leaves, usually near the midrib.
• As it spreads, the leaves twist, and the damage extends to the petiole, stem, and eventually the shoot, giving the Surajmukhi plant a paralyzed appearance.
• If it occurs during the bud stage, the capitulum bends and twists abnormally.
• Early infections leave Surajmukhi plants stunted and weak, often causing them to die before they can flower.
• Infected Sunflower heads don't open properly, and seed formation doesn't occur.

Head Rot (Rhizopus arrhizus)

• The affected Sunflower heads develop water-soaked lesions on the underside, which eventually turn brown.
• The discoloration may spread from the Surajmukhi head to the stalk.
• The damaged parts of the Surajmukhi head become soft and pulpy, with insects infesting the decaying tissue.
• The Sunflower seeds transform into a black, powdery mass.
• Eventually, the Sunflower head wilts, droops, and is covered with thick fungal mycelial growth.

Leaf Blight (Alternaria helianthi)

• The fungus causes brown spots on the Sunflower plant leaves, and these spots can also appear on the stem, sepals, and petals.
• On the leaves, the lesions are dark brown to black, circular or oval.
• As the disease progresses, the spots enlarge with concentric rings and become irregular in shape.
• In high humidity, multiple spots may merge into larger, irregular lesions, leading to leaf drying and defoliation.
• The disease can also cause Sunflower heads to rot and reduce seed quality by lowering germination rates.

Harvesting of Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower crops are ready for harvest when the moisture content of the seeds reaches around 20%. The sunflower head is physiologically mature at 35-40 days after flowering, typically around 90-100 days after sowing sunflower seeds. The sunflower heads are considered ripe when the back of the head turns yellowish-brown and the lower leaves become brown to dark brown.

Harvesting is typically done using a sickle to remove the Surajmukhi head. After harvesting, the sunflower heads should be thoroughly sun-dried to reduce moisture. The sunflower seeds are then threshed by beating the centre of the head with a small stick, although threshers can also be used. After threshing, the sunflower seeds are winnowed, further dried, and stored. Delaying the harvest can lead to losses due to bird damage and seed shattering in the field.

Sunflower Crop Yield

The yield of Sunflower varies based on the variety and farm management practices. Generally, under rainfed conditions, the yield is around 10-15 quintals per hectare, while irrigated Sunflower crops typically produce 20-25 quintals per hectare. Additionally, the stalk yield is approximately 10-12 quintals per hectare.