Intensive sunflower cultivation technology involves the application of a set of agronomic measures aimed at obtaining high and stable yields. These include the proper selection of predecessors, fertilisation, soil cultivation, plant protection against diseases and weeds, as well as timely application of micro- and macrofertilisers.
Selection of predecessors
To achieve the maximum yield potential, sunflower should be sown after good predecessors. The best ones are:
- Winter and spring cereals.
- КCorn for grain or silage.
- Legumes.
- Potatoes.
It is not recommended to sow sunflower after sunflower, soybeans, peas, beans, tomatoes and rapeseed, as these crops are affected by the same diseases as sunflower (phomosis, white and grey rot and root rot).
Sunflower has a developed root system that penetrates to a depth of 1-3 m, depleting the lower soil layers. Therefore, it is not recommended to sow it after crops with deep roots that actively consume moisture (alfalfa, sugar beet, Sudanese grass). If such crops have been grown, sunflower should be sown no earlier than three years later.
Soil cultivation for sowing sunflower
Sunflower has a developed root system that penetrates to a depth of 1-3 m, depleting the lower soil layers. Therefore, it is not recommended to sow it after crops with deep roots that actively consume moisture (alfalfa, sugar beet, Sudanese grass). If such crops have been grown, sunflower should be sown no earlier than three years later.
Soil cultivation for sowing sunflower
Soil for sunflower should be prepared in advance to create optimal conditions for seed germination and root development.
Ploughing (traditional method) is carried out to a depth of 25-30 cm in autumn after harvesting the previous crop. This helps to kill weeds, improve water and air conditions and increase soil fertility.
Surface tillage (minimum technology) – disking or deep loosening (20-25 cm), which helps to preserve moisture, reduce the risk of erosion and cut fuel costs.
Spring pre-sowing levelling – for even seed placement and optimal contact with the soil. In the spring, the main task is to preserve moisture and create a fine clod structure. Proper soil cultivation helps to ensure friendly emergence of sunflower, reduce the impact of weeds and optimise the use of moisture, which is the key to a high yield.
Fertilisation
To ensure a strong start to the crop, it is important to use the right fertiliser.
Autumn application:
Phosphorus-potassium fertilisers (e.g. superphosphate and potassium salt) are applied under the main tillage to develop the root system. Sunflower responds well to organic and mineral fertilisers and should not be neglected in intensive sunflower cultivation.
Spring application:
Nitrogen fertilisers (urea, ammonium nitrate) – ensure active growth and development of plants. Nitrogen (N) – promotes plant growth, but its excess can lead to lodging. In some cases, intensive cultivation may require the use of morphoregulators to optimise plant growth and stem thickening instead of active growth in height.
In-row fertilisation or the use of liquid starter fertilisers helps to ensure uniform seedling development.
Pre-sowing and pre-germination protection
Sunflower needs high-quality herbicide protection before emergence. This is especially important for classic hybrids and those grown using Express technology (Sumo, Granstar). These are such Evrosem sunflower hybrids as Avalon 7+ and Ajax under classic cultivation technology and Stark 7+ Sumo, Tor 7+ Sumo or Sumo 007 under Granstar.
Mandatory measures:
– Application of soil herbicides (acetochlor, promethrin) to kill weeds in the early stages of development.
– Use of insurance herbicides based on tribenuron-methyl (Granstar) or imazamox (Clearfield) to protect the respective sunflower hybrids during the growing season.
Protection against diseases
During the growing season, sunflower is vulnerable to fungal diseases such as white and grey rot, phomosis, phomopsis and others. Preventive fungicide treatments are recommended to prevent significant yield losses.
Optimal protection scheme:
First application (at the stage of 4-6 pairs of leaves): systemic fungicide for basic protection.
The second application (before flowering): fungicides of the strobilurin group (azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin) for prolonged action and improvement of photosynthesis.
Leaf application of microfertilisers
During the growing season, sunflower responds well to foliar nutrition with microelements. A special role is played by:
Boron – improves pollination, seed and basket fullness.
Zinc – contributes to the formation of a strong stem.
Molybdenum – improves nitrogen absorption.
Magnesium – stimulates photosynthesis.
Microfertilisers are applied at the 6-10 leaf stage or during the budding period, combined with fungicides or insecticides.
An intensive sunflower cultivation system involves the application of a set of agronomic, biological and chemical measures aimed at maximising the crop’s yield potential while ensuring the rational use of resources. The key aspects are the right choice of hybrid, crop rotation, nutrition optimisation, timely protection against weeds, pests and diseases, and high-quality soil cultivation. Compliance with these measures allows us to achieve high yields and ensure the economic efficiency of sunflower cultivation under intensive agricultural production.