IWMP-11 - Commissionerate of Rural Development Gujarat State ...

DWDU, Rajkot
b) Sunflower
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop in India popularly known as “Surajmukhi.” It is one of the fastest
growing oilseed crops in India. Sunflower being a short duration and day neutral plant is quite suitable to fit in our existing
cropping system. Sunflower is a major source of vegetable oil in the world. It is used for a variety of cooking purposes. Sunflower
seed contains about 48 – 53 percent edible oil. It is used as nutritious meal for birds and animals. Sunflower has one of the shortest
growing seasons of the major cash crops. Plants are drought-resistant and grow well in soils ranging in texture from sand to clay.
Soils should have good drainage for sunflower production.
Like most field crops, sunflower requires the kind of good seed-bed which results from carrying out a second ploughing if the field
is planted on a fallow/barren land. By ploughing, only once on already cultivatable land, however, a farmer can reduce his variable
costs of production. By and large farmers have now adopted improved methods of planting. The crop was initially broadcast done
before sunflower gained popularity from various institutions. Line planting, however, is now dominant with recommended spacing
of 75cm by 50cm and 2 seeds per hole. An application of P 20 5 fertilizer before planting and 60kg/ha of Nitrogen at thinning are
recommended. Lower plant populations are recommended in areas where rainfall is limited (on average 33,000-45,000 plants per
ha in semi-arid areas). However, the highest yields and oil percentages are obtained by planting early. Seed can be planted to a
maximum depth of 10cm if necessary to reach moisture.
Sunflower harvesting
Sunflower harvesting, by hand or machine, takes place when the upper leaves have started to dry and the flowers are faded.
In some cases, especially when the fields are small, it is preferable to harvest the crop before maturity. This decreases the risk of
losses from attacks by birds and other pests.
Detailed Project Report: IWMP-11 144