Sunflower

SUNFLOWER (Helianthus Annuus)

Sunflower is one of the four major oilseed crops (soybean, peanut, rapeseed and sunflower) grown for edible oil in the world. It is cultivated on about 23.31 million hectares all over the world with a production of 29.90 million tones. Major sunflower growing countries are Russia, United States, China, Argentina, France, Canada, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary and Turkey. In Pakistan, sunflower is planted on about 0.363 million hectares in the four provinces. Its expansion since its introduction remained restricted due to the absence of systematic market mechanism, non-availability of quality seed and poor adaptability of imported hybrids.

However, with time and introduction of improved production technologies and hybrids, the per unit productivity has been increased from 750 kg/ha to more than 1700 kg/ha which is comparable with other sunflower growing countries e.g. European Union (EU) 1820 kg/ha, China 1580 kg/ha, Argentina 1730 kg/ha, USA 1730 kg/ha, Pakistan 1720 kg/ha and Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) 1220 kg/ha.Major sunflower growing areas in Pakistan are Badin, Thatha, Mirpur Khas, Umarkot Nawabshah in Sindh, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Lodhran, Multan, Narowal, Rajanpur, and Layyah in Punjab. In Balochistan, sunflower is mostly cultivated in irrigated areas of Nasirabad, Jafferabad and Sibi. However, Jhal Magsi, Bolan and Lasbela districts are the potential areas. A brief of the area, production and yield of the last five years is presented below:

Area, production and yield in Pakistan

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Year Area (000 ha)

Production (000 tons)

Yield (Kg/ha

2000-01

58.99

68.60

1163

2001-02

63.25
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73.96

1217

2002-03

107.72

128.53

1193

2003-04

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255.68

358.53

1402

2004-05

264.00

327.65

1241

2005-06*

344.13

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595.00

1729

Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan. * Economic survey of Pakistan.

SUNFLOWER BREEDING PROGRAM AT NARCThe Oilseed Research Program, NARC has made efforts for the development of improved varieties of the majority of oilseed crops. These varieties are potentially high yielding and suitable for agro-climatic conditions of the country.Sunflower Development of Local sunflower hybrids Sunflower breeding at NARC has the following components.* Development of inbred lines.* Maintenance of inbred lines.* Development of new hybrid combinations.* Evaluation of hybrid combinations.* Seed multiplication of inbred lines.* Hybrid seed production on pilot scale Development of parent inbred lines used in the hybrid development TAKES 6-7 YEARS for use in hybrid development This involves a number of crossing steps to make the lines genetically pure and uniform. These efforts have resulted in the development of 37 restorer lines and 49 A & B lines. Details of the different parent lines, hybrid combinations and hybrids made are given below. Parent lines and local hybrids of sunflower developed at NARC

Parent Lines/combinations

Number

A & B Lines

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58

Restorer lines

30

Hybrid combinations developed

1730

First local hybrid (PARC-92E)

1 (1993)

Second Hybrid (PARSUN-2)

2003
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It has been observed after making hundreds of hybrid combinations that variability in the breeding material is low. It is therefore, necessary to enhance the variability in available and new inbred lines by various means. As genetic variability is the key in success of developing new varieties/hybrids. Therefore, at present more emphasis is to develop inbred lines with more genetic variation. Technologies developed and ready for commercialization with brief description of each Hybrid developed PARSUN-II Approved hybrid, medium late in maturity (110-115 days), and uniform, high yield potential of 4500 kg /ha, moderately susceptible to insect and diseases, oil contents upto 48%. GROWING AREAS AND AGRONOMIC PRACTICES OF SUNFLOWER Soil : Sandy to clay. soil (pH 6.5 to 7.5) Seedbed Preparation: One deep ploughing with mould board plough followed by cultivator and plank Planting Time:Spring Crop Autumn Crop

Punjab

Attock, Rawalpindi and Gujrat

1st Feb - 28th Feb

1st July &

Sialkot, Gujranwala, Kasur,

25th Jan – 15th Feb

25th July – 10th Aug

Lahore and Sheikhupura

Mianwali, Sargodha, Jhang,Pak Pattan

25th Jan – 10th Feb

25th July – 10th Aug

Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Okara,

Khanewal, Vehari, Multan D.G.Khan

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15th Jan – 10th Feb

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25th July – 10th Aug

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Bahawal Nagar, Muzaffar Garh,

Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan

10th Jan – 5th Feb

25th July – 15th Aug

Sindh

Southern Sindh

1st Dec – 20th Feb

25th July – 5th Aug

Northern Sindh

15th Dec – 20th Feb

25th July – 15th Aug

Dobari Crop

1st Nov – 28th Feb

Baluchistan

Plain Areas (Naseer Abad Division)

15th Dec – 10th Feb

25th July – 15th Aug

Hilly Areas (Quetta, Khuzdar, Noshki)

15th Mar – 20th June

NWFP

Plain Areas (D.I.Khan, Bannu and Kohat) 15th Jan – 28th Feb

15th July – 20th Aug

Hilly Areas
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Swat, Mansehra and other areas

1st Mar – 30th June

Seed Rate: 5-6 kg/ha Method of planting: Nitrogen = 150 kg/ha (1/2 at planting + 1/2 at first irrigation)

Row to row spacing

= 75 cm

Phosphorus

= 60 kg/ha

Potassium

= 60 kg/ha

Irrigations:

4-5

Spring crop

Autumn Crop

1st

25 days after germination

15 days after germination

2nd

15 to 20 days after 1st irrigation

10-15 days after 1st irrigation

3rd

At the time of head initiation

At the time of flower initiation

4th

At the time of flower completion

At the time of seed setting

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5th

10-15 days before harvest

Weed Control: Successful weed control should include a combination of cultural and chemical methods. Harvesting: Harvest when the back of heads turns yellow and bracts brownish Threshing: Dry for 4-5 days and thresh with thresh Drying and Storage: For storage 9.5 % moisture is considered suitable. Potential Areas:

Punjab NWF =

Multan, Sialkot, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Kasur, Vehari, Sargodha, Gujrat, D.G. Khan Sindh = Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Jaco Peshawar, Mardan, D.I.Khan

Balochistan

Sibi, Quetta, Qallat, Nasirabad, Lasbela

Weeds affecting sunflower crop during kharif season

Batho Chenopodium album (Chenopodiaceae) Broad leaves Hand weeding Stomp 0.1-105 lit/acre

Tandla Digra muricata Broad leaves

Deela Cyprus rotundus (Cypraceae) http://www.solex.com.pk - Solex Powered by U.K. Engineers Date: 2 December, 2011, 05:35

Rotary weeder Dual gold as pre emergence Bactra verutena attacks cypens While chilo partillus attacks sorghum

Baroo Sorghumhelipanse -

Pohli Carthamus Oxycantha -

Weeds affecting sunflower crop during spring season

Khabbal Cynoden dactylon (Poaceae) Grass Hoeing Stomp @1-2 lit/acre

Lihli Convolvulus arvensis (convolvulaceae) Broad leave Rotary weeder As pre emergence

Jangli Haloon Coromopus dedymus (Cruciferce) http://www.solex.com.pk - Solex Powered by U.K. Engineers Date: 2 December, 2011, 05:35

Broad leave Hand weeding Dual gold @ 800 ml/acre

Dramp Polygonum plebejun (Polygonaceae) Broad leave With khurpa and sickle As pre emergence

Chanderi Brachiaria ramose (Poaceae) Broad leave Ronstar @ 1 lit /acre as Pre-emergence

DISEASE AND THEIR CONTROL MEASURES/MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR SUNFLOWER CROPS

Disease

CONTROL

Charcoal rot Use of resistant early maturing varieties, avoid stress and irrigate the field near maturity. Irrigation as well as crop rotation reduce losses. Seed treatment with Tecto @ 2.5 g/kg help reduce primary infection from seedHead rot: Avoid injury to head from insects or mechanically. Screening for resistant variety can also proved as a good control management strategy. Injury to head due to mechanical operations should be avoided. Bird damage should be preventedIf insect are predisposers, suitable insecticides should be sprayed.

Alternaria Leaf spot Fungicide sprays:Polyram (500 gm/ha) or Deconil (1.7 – 2.3 kg/ha)Soaking seed in hot water at 54 Co for 10 minutes.Early maturing varieties help in escape the crop from the disease.

Collar rot Use of resistant varieties is the early control management.

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Diseases and their Control Measures/Management for Sunflower

Disease

Control measures

Charcoal rot: Use of resistant varieties, cultivate early maturing varieties, Stress to the crop and irrigate the field near maturity. Rotation reduces losses. Proper scheduling of irrigation of the time at flowering and seed formation is important. Seed treatment with Tecto @ 2.5 g/kg help in reducing the primary infection from seed

Head rot: Avoid injury to head from insects or mechanical. Screening for resistant variety can also prove as a good control management strategy.. Bird damage should be prevented. If insect are predisposes, suitable insecticides should be sprayed.

Alternaria Leaf spot Fungicide sprays:- Polyram (500 gm/ha) or Deconil (1.7 – 2.3 kg/ha)Soaking seed in hot water at 54 Co for 10 minutes.Early maturing varieties help in escape the crop from the disease.

Collar rot Use of resistant varieties is the only control management.

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