Sunflower is a culture demanding germination conditions. In order to get friendly sunflower seedlings, you need to observe the optimal conditions for the method of sowing, depth and rate of sowing. It is equally important to choose the period of work.
In order to obtain even seedlings, sunflower seeds are sown in soil with a deep plowed layer without compactions with high moisture content, acidity pH 6.2-7. The following soils are suitable for growing crops:
- chernozem
- chestnut soils
- meadow chernozems with a loamy or sandy composition.
A good cultivation result will be on a field with light soils, but those with a high level of humus and a significant supply of groundwater.
Winter and spring ear crops are the best precursors for sunflower sowing. After collecting the precursor, the soil must be thoroughly disked to grind the crop residues. Also carry out the main tillage to a depth of 27-30 cm in autumn . This will improve the physical properties of the soil and help to better accumulate moisture in the autumn period. In the case of planned fertilization with macrofertilizers, they are applied under plowing, provided that the fertilizers have a long period of transition of elements into an accessible form for plants.
In the spring, before sowing, the field is subject to early spring harrowing with heavy tooth harrows in combination with leveling. This helps to crush germinating weeds and level the field, to preserve reserves of early spring moisture. In general, in the spring, it is better to reduce the number of passes of equipment over the field to a minimum, so that moisture is not lost.
For even friendly seedlings, the sowing depth should be 4-6 cm. In arid regions, the sowing depth is increased to 6-10 cm. Hybrids with small seeds are sown to a depth of 4-5 cm. To obtain simultaneous seedlings, it is important to sow seeds at the same depth.
The average sowing rate of EUROSEM sunflower hybrids depends on the moisture availability of the region. This indicator is different for each hybrid and is indicated in its agronomic characteristics. The average sowing rate is 75-60 thousand seeds per hectare. Unreasonable thickening of crops leads to an increase in the number of pests and exacerbation of fungal diseases, in particular, carbon rot.
Pre-sowing seed treatment is of particular importance for crop seedlings. EUROSEM seeds are already treated for sowing with fungicidal poison, fertilizer and growth stimulator: You only need to pour them into the planter. Poisoning successfully combats pathogens transmitted through seeds and soil.
Our seeds of the Premium technology solution are protected from typical diseases and have all the prerequisites for the formation of strong and friendly seedlings. The “cocktail” for poisoning contains three fungicidal poisons:
- based on fludioxonil
- based on thiram
- on the basis of metalaxyl-m.
In addition, the seeds are additionally enriched with a complex microfertilizer Eurostim Premium and a growth stimulator based on a phytohormone. If necessary, it is possible to individually treat the seed with an insecticidal poison.
Sunflower is a rather heat-loving plant. Seed germination can also occur at a soil temperature of +3-+4 C, but seedlings will appear only 20-28 days after sowing. The optimal temperature for germination is +20 C air and +8-+12 C soil . Then seedlings appear on the 7-8th day after sowing. Sunflower is sown when the soil warms up to +10-+12 C at the depth of seed wrapping. This period depends on the growing region. First, mid-ripening and mid-early hybrids are sown, and sowing is completed with seeds of sunflower hybrids of the early-ripening group. In the line of Eurosem hybrids are Tor 7+ , Sumo Novo and others.
Both early and late sowing times can affect the future harvest. With early sowing, the sprouting period is delayed by 3-4 weeks, sprouts appear slowly, and the chances of developing diseases increase. With late sowing, the soil is dry, which negatively affects the germination of hybrids. It is optimal to calculate the sowing so that the flowering of the crop occurs before the onset of strong heat.
So, to get equal and friendly stairs, it is important:
- choose high-quality seeds that have been protected from diseases (if pests are needed) and microfertilizers
- sow in warmed +10-+12 C soil prepared for sowing
- choose the appropriate seeding rate depending on the moisture availability of the region
- sow to an optimal depth of 4-6 cm
- to use macro- and micro-fertilizers in growing technology.