Sunflower

1. Botanical Classification

1. Botanical Name:

The botanical name of sunflower is Helianthus annus L.

1. Biological Classification:
   Kingdom                                 Plantae
2. Magnoliopsida
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  

 

1. Economic Importance

 

1. Soil Type

Sunflower is grown in rainfed as well as irrigated farming systems. Basically it grows sandy to clay soil ranging in pH from 6.5 to 7.5. The areas of adaption for this crop are in cotton belt (Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Umerkot) and rice growing areas of Sialkot and Badin in Punjab and Sindh, respectively.

 

1. Temperature Requirement

Sunflower is grown in many semi-arid regions. It is tolerant of both low and high temperatures but more tolerant to low temperatures. Optimum temperatures for growth are 21 to 75°C, but a wider range of temperatures (64 to 91°F) show little effect on productivity. Extremely high temperatures have been shown to lower oil percentage, seed fill and germination.

1. Land Preparation/Sowing Method

• Seed bed Preparation

As sunflower has a well-developed root system, deep ploughing with a mouldboard necessary.  Secondary tillage implements like a disc harrow or tines should be used to level the field for planting and subsequent irrigations. It is important that the soil around the seed remain moist during germination. With light soils the soil should be pressed during planting to make good plough is contact with seed and moist soil. This technique is quite important in dry rain fed areas.

• Row To Row and Plant to Plant Distance

Sunflowers are a row crop, but the row width varies depending upon the equipment available. In irrigated areas R×R distance for sunflower crop is 75 cm and P×P distance is 23 cm, whereas; in barani areas P×P distance is given as 30cm.

1. Time of Sowing

            Sunflower is a new crop and is unlikely to complete with and replace the already established crop. However, it is highly adaptable and fits very well to the cropping system. Throughout the country sunflower is grown in two seasons: spring and summer.

1. Seed Rate

            Generally 2-3 Kg/acre seed is recommended depending on hybrid, soil type, and availability of water and method of sowing. The seed rate of hybrids with large seed size should be more as compared to small size seeds. Seed rate is reduced to 50 % if planted with new planters.

1. Irrigation Requirement

Sunflower is generally considered drought-resistant, but significant resistance in the yield has been observed due to water stress. Generally, the spring crop requires four irrigations. However for summer planting because most of the three stages tale place during the cooler months, the number of irrigations can be reduced to three.

10.       Fertilizer Requirement

In Pakistan, most of the soils area deficient in both Nitrogen and Phosphorus and some areas are also deficient in Potash therefore, the requirement for N, P, K is given as 64.22, 56.81 and 61.75 kg/ha respectively. Optimum inputs are required for sunflower hybrids to produce their potential yields. It is therefore, recommended that 2 bags of urea and 2 bags of DAP per acre should be applied.

11(a). Weed Management

1. Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis)

This has weed has become more abundant in the last decade in the northern states and Manitoba. The plant is native to North America. Its emergence is indeterminate which greatly complicates control strategies. Emergence can begin early in the season and continue into July. It has tolerance to many chemicals.

Control Strategies

1.  Pre-emergent burn down is necessary using any of the labelled products but     recognizing that the weed has developed tolerance to Aim.
   2.      Spartan has good to excellent control.
   3.      Between row cultivation or hooded sprayer herbicide application.

 

1. Redroot Pigweed(Amaranthusretroflexus)

This weed has an extended germination period, is noted for its rapid growth and its high rate of seed production. There are a number of options for control.

Control Strategies

1. Good control of RR Pigweed in previous crop.
   2.      Use burn down up to emergence.
   3.      Spartan has excellent control and can be used in reduced and no tillage systems.
   4.      Sonalan and Prowl are rated as fair herbicide for the control over from weeds.           
   5.      Eptam is rated as good herbicide to control from weeds.
   6.      Trifluralin and Dual Magnum are rated as fair control from weeds.
   7.      Between row cultivation or between row hooded sprayer herbicide application.

 

1. Kochia (Kochia scoparia)

It is a highly competitive weed. It emerges throughout the production season during cool periods in early spring or later with warm temperatures and good moisture. It can have a significant impact on yield and is a great producer of seed. It has developed resistance to ALS herbicides which complicates the control strategies in sunflower.

Control Strategies

1.  Good control of Kochia in the previous year's crop.
   2.     Use a burn down up to emergence.
   3.     Spartan has excellent Kochia control and can be used in reduced and no till systems.
   4.     Eptam, Prowl, Sonalan and Trifluralin control of Kochia are rated as fair.
   5.     Between row cultivation is best when Kochia is small.
   6.     Between row cultivation or hooded sprayer with herbicide application.

 11(b).Insects Management

 Some of the insects are discussed below:

1. Banded Sunflower Moth(Cochylishospes) Walsingham
   Damage:

Newly hatched larvae move from the bracts (where they feed initially) to the florets of the sunflower head, where they enter open florets to feed. During later stages the larvae tunnel though the base of the floret into the seed and consume the contents. Each larva may destroy 5 to 7 seeds. Silken webbing on the face of the head at maturity indicates the presence of the larvae within the head.

Control:

            Banded Sunflower Mothdamage has been largely eliminated by insecticide seed treatments with Cruiser® and Idol®.

1. Cut Worms Army Cutworm (Euxoaauxiliaris) Manitoba

Damage:

Cutworms usually damage the young plants by cutting them off below or above the soil surface. This generally occurs in early emergence. Cutworms feed mostly at night and rest during the day below the soil surface near recently damaged plants.

Control

            Most of the commercial insecticides labelled on sunflower include cutworm as well. This works well for surface feeding cutworms. A number of producers in reduced tillage systems now calculate a cutworm insecticide treatment in their budgets.

1. Sunflower Beetle(Zygogrammaexclamationis)

Damage:

          The sunflower beetle is a defoliator. Defoliation of the entire early leaves can have a negative yield impact. Later feeding by the larvae can be severe leading to reduced yield and poor seed set. The damage to mature leaves creates a ‘lace-like' appearance. The sunflower plant can withstand a considerable amount of defoliation without a yield impact.

 

•  

            Sunflower beetle damage has been largely eliminated by insecticide seed treatments with Cruiser® and Idol®. Most insecticides labelled for sunflower insects include the sunflower beetle and are very effective.

 

1. Haedclipper Weevil(HaplorhynchitesaeneusBoheman)
2.  

Damage is usually sporadic and localized on field margins and the insect is most often found in the High Plains. There have been reports of 20% clipped heads in some fields.

Control:

The Orkin Man™ can help homeowners manage weevils.

11(c). Disease Management

Sunflower is an important oil yielding crop. Its plant protection measures should be taken at an early best to minimize the loss caused by insect, pest and diseases. Among the insect, pest and diseases, diseases alone cause 10% yield loss in the field itself. So the important diseases and plant protection measures are described below:

The important diseases of sunflower are

i. Alternaria Blight                              ii. Head rot                                          iii. Charcoal Rot

iv. Sclerotial wilt                                 v. Downy mildew                               vi. Powder mildew

vii. Mosaic                                           viii. Rust

 

i.          Alternaria Blight: Causal organism is Alternariasolani

It appears on leaves, petioles, stem, sepals and petals. Dark brown to black circular to oval shapes spots ranging from 0.2 to 0.5mm in diameter develop in leaves. This spots are often surrounded by a chlorotic zone with grey white necrotic centre. Under high atmospheric humidity spots are enlarge in size and coalesce and causing blighting of leaves and sometimes rotting of flower heads. The disease also affects the quality of seeds by reducing the germination percentage.

 

ii.         Head Rot: Causal organism is Aspergillussp

It appears under surface of the heads due to water soaking. The symptoms appear as brown in colour and discolouration extends to the stalk to a distance of about 10 to 15 cm. The discoloured under surface of the head becomes very soft and pulpy. The fungus enters into the head through the holes made by the insect attack and attacks the inner parts of the head of the developing seeds. In severe cases, the head will be transformed into a black powdery mass.

 

iii.        Charcoal Rot: Causal organism is MacrophominaPhaseolina

It is a seed borne disease which occurs usually after flowering. The most important symptoms are sudden wilting of plants with huge number of microsclerotia fallen on the rotten portion of the affected plant.

 

• Control and Dose of Chemical for Alternaria Blight, Head

Rot and Charcoal Rot of Sunflower

a. Collection and destruction of plant devices.

b. Seed treatment with carboxin @ 3gm / kg.

c. Drenching the base of the affected plant

withcarbandizim @ 2gm / litre of water or during land preparation broadcasting of enriched FYM trichoderma @ 2.5kg. Trichoderma per 250 kgs of FYM/ha should be applied in the line.

 

iv.        Sclerotial Wilt/Collar Rot: Causal organism is Sclerotiumrolfsi

Initial symptoms of the disease appear 40 days after showing. Infected plants can be spotted from a distance by seen sickly appearance. Later the entire plants wither and die. White cottony mycelium and mustard seed sized sclerotial bodies are formed on the affected stems near soil level.

• Control and Dose of Chemical:

a. Collection and destruction of plant devices.

b. Seed treatment with carboxin @ 3gm / kg

c. Drenching the base of the affected plant with carbandizim @ 2gm / litre of water or during land preparation broadcasting of enriched FYM trichoderma @ 2.5kg. Trichoderma per 250 kgs of FYM/ha should be applied in the line.

 

v.         Downy Mildew:

It is caused by a fungus that is Plasmoparahalstedi. The symptoms are chlorosis of Midribs causing ultimately abnormally thick, downward curled leaves that so prominent yellow and green apyphyllous mottling. A hypophyllous downy growth of the fungus developed. Flower heads of the affected plants remains sterile. Local foliar lesion symptoms are characterized by small angular greenish yellow spots on leaves. In the affected plants flower heads are erect.

• Control and Dose of Chemical:

Seeds treated with ridomil MZ @2gm per kg of seed and floriar [email protected] / ltr twice at 30 and 45 days after planting give good result.

 

vi.        Powder Mildew:

It produces under dry conditions towards the end of winter season. It produces white powdery growth on leaves, white to grey mildew appear on the upper surface of the old leaves. As the plant matures black pin head sized cleistothecia are visible in white midrib areas. The affected leaves lose lustre, curl become chlorotic and die.

• Control and Dose of Chemical:

Spraying wettable sulphur @3gm per ltr or calixin @ 1ml per ltr.

 

vii.       Mosaic Diseases:

It spreads through white flies (Bemisiatabaci).

The virus survives in amaranthus. The virus is transmitted through sap, seed and white flies. There is cupping and malformation of leaves.

 

• Control and Dose of Chemical:

Roughing of infected plants and spray with insecticide rogour or metasystex@2ml per litre of water at 10 days interval gives better result.   

 

12.       Harvesting

i.          Moisture Percentage:

Often, there are only a few good combining days in October when the seed is dry enough for storage. Seeds should be below 12% moisture for temporary storage and below 10% for long term storage. Seed up to 15% moisture is satisfactory for temporary storage in freezing weather, but spoilage is likely after a few days of warm weather.

ii.         Yield

            The average national seed yield in all types of soils and conditions varies from 500-980 kg/ha. However, under the favourable conditions seed yields as high as 2500 kg/ha have been obtained. Under the rain fed conditions the seed yield varies from 400-800 kg/ha.

13.       Storage

Storage of sunflower requires special care. The seed should be dried down up to moisture content 8-10% after harvesting. Unlike soya bean sunflower maintains is viability longer than small seeds under all conditions. Storage bins should be cleaned and treated with insecticides in order to avoid insect attack.

14.       Varieties

    

Soybean (Glycine max L.):

A) Crop Botany:

It belongs to family leguminosae. 

B) Agro-meteorology:

i) Climate: Lentil is basically a temperate climate crop. Temperature requirements ranges from 15-24°C from germination to maturity. The crop responds positively to moderate rainfall, but negatively to heavy rainfall. It is draught tolerant and can be grown in area of low rainfall. It can tolerate prolonged extreme cold and hot climate.

ii) Soil: sandy to clay soils of medium fertility. High fertility soils cause excessive vegetative growth of lentil plant which in turn leads to lodging.

C) Economic Importance:

It is cultivated on 21000 acres land in Punjab which is total of 70% area of Pakistan. 25% protein is found in lentil. It is nutritivly very important crop. This is mostly cultivated in Narowal, Sialkot, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Gujrat. This is also grown in Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Jhang, Sargodha, Rajanpur and Muzaffar Garh etc. uneven distribution of rainfall increase the weeds which results in lower production. The area sown to lentil in Pakistan is about 45000-106,000 hactare. This is about 5-11% of total area sown to grain legumes. Pakistan contributes about 8% of the total lentil produced in the world. The annual production of the country shows an increase of about 26,000 to 30,000 tones. Lentil may yield up to 500kg/ha.

D) Production Technology:  

1) Seed bed preparation: Two to three ploughings followed by planking and land levelling is enough. In barani areas, deep ploughing and planking after rainfall are important for moisture conservation.

2) Sowing time: It is planted at the beginning of winter season.

Oct-mid Nov.

3) Seed rate: 2-3 kg / acre in case of low moisture. Seed should be clean, healthy and free from diseases.

4) Sowing method: In barani areas: Line sowing with pora or drill. In case of broadcasting, yield of lentil decreases, while the recommended one is line sowing.

In heavy rainfall areas                         RxR 30 cm

In sandy soils                                      RxR 22.5 cm                         PxP 8-10 cm

Yield of lentil can be calculated as:

No. of plants per sq.meter x pods/plant x seeds/pod x seed mass (g).

5) Fertilizer:

For better yield of lentil fertilizer requirements are as follows

DAP= 1 bag

Potassium Sulphate= ½ bag or SSP= 2.5 bags 

6) Irrigation: It requires 1-2 irrigations:

E) Plant protection measures:

i)  Weeds

weeds can be controlled by two method

1. Mechanical method: harrowing and rotary hoeing fields after emergence is recommended only if there is serious weed problem.
2. Chemical method: glyphosate can be used as preplow treatment in the fall or spring quack grass. Stomp herbicide.

ii) Insect-pests: Grasshoppers, cutworm, aphid, pod borer, army worm and termite.

Spray of suitable insecticides is recommended before grain development.

iii) Diseases: Ascochyta blight, Schlerotinia (white mold), Fusarium root rot, grey mold, rust, collar and root rot and Rhizoctonia. No effective treatment is available for these diseases.

9) Harvesting and Storage: In Pakistan, lentil is harvested and threshed by traditional method using bullocks or manual labor. It should be swathed when planting begins to turn yellow and lower pods become brown to yellow. Lentils are considered dry at 14% moisture content.

Varieties:

Niab Masoor- 2002, 2006

Punjab Masoor- 2009

Masoor-93

Chakwal Masoor

Markaz 2009