Sunflower — Package of Practices
A bright, day-neutral oilseed for almost any season — feed boron for seed set, welcome the bees at flowering, and harvest when the head backs turn lemon-yellow.
Overview
Sunflower is a day-neutral oilseed that can be grown across kharif, rabi and spring seasons. It is valued for its quality edible oil.
Two things set it apart: it needs boron for good seed set, and it depends on bees for pollination — both must be managed for a full head.
Climate & season
Sunflower grows over a wide range (about 20–28 °C) and is day-neutral, so it fits many seasons.
- Grown in kharif, rabi and spring depending on region.
- Needs bright sun and moderate temperatures at flowering.
- Avoid extreme heat at seed-fill.
Soil & land preparation
Best on a well-drained loam at pH 6.5–8.0.
- Prepare a fine, level seedbed.
- Mix in 8–10 t/ha farmyard manure.
- Good drainage with steady moisture is ideal.
Choosing a type & seed
Hybrids give the highest, most uniform yields with good oil content. No specific cultivar is named here.
Seed rate
- About 5–8 kg/ha (hybrids at the lower end).
- Sow 4–5 cm deep.
- Aim for an even, full stand.
Seed treatment
- Treat with a recommended fungicide (helps against downy mildew).
- Use fresh, high-vigour seed.
Sowing & spacing
- Sow into a warm, moist, well-drained seedbed.
- Keep rows 60 cm apart.
- Space plants 30 cm within the row.
- Sow 4–5 cm deep; thin to one plant per hill.
- Provide boron where soils are deficient.
Nutrient management
Split the nitrogen; supply boron for seed set and sulphur for oil.
| Input | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Farmyard manure | 8–10 t/ha | Basal |
| Nitrogen (N) split | 60–90 kg/ha | Basal · top-dress at button stage |
| Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | 60 kg/ha | Full basal |
| Potash (K₂O) | 40 kg/ha | Basal |
| Boron key | Apply if deficient | Essential for seed set |
Water management
Keep moisture steady through the reproductive stages.
- Most critical at bud (button), flowering and seed filling.
- Never let the crop stress at flowering.
- Avoid waterlogging.
Weed management
- The first 45 days are the critical weed-free period.
- Use a recommended pre-emergence herbicide with one intercultivation.
- Earth up while weeding for stem support against lodging.
Plant protection
| Problem | Type | Watch for | Manage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head / capitulum borer | Pest | Caterpillars boring into the developing head | Pheromone traps, Bt or recommended insecticide at flowering |
| Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera) | Pest | Stripped leaves | Handpick, recommended insecticide if severe |
| Jassids | Pest | Yellowing, cupped leaves | Conserve natural enemies; spray only if needed |
| Downy mildew | Disease | Pale leaves, white growth beneath; stunting | Treated seed, tolerant types, rogue affected plants |
| Alternaria leaf spot | Disease | Dark spots on leaves | Rotation, recommended fungicide |
| Head rot / necrosis virus | Disease | Rotting heads; ringspots and necrosis | Drainage, manage thrips, remove affected heads |
- Sow treated seed of a tolerant hybrid.
- Protect the developing head from borers at flowering.
- Support pollination while timing any spray for early morning to spare bees.
- Spray only at the threshold, following the label.
Use crop-protection inputs responsibly
Time any flowering-stage spray for early morning or evening to protect bees. Read the label, use the recommended dose, wear protective gear while spraying, and strictly observe the pre-harvest (waiting) interval before picking — on crops harvested repeatedly this matters at every picking. Prefer cultural and biological methods first and spray only when monitoring shows it is needed.
Harvesting & yield
Harvest when the back of the head turns lemon-yellow to brown and the seeds are hard, generally 90–110 days.
- Cut heads, dry well, then thresh and clean the seed.
- Yields of about 1.5–2.5 t/ha are achievable.
Sunflower — Package of Practices
A bright, day-neutral oilseed for almost any season — feed boron for seed set, welcome the bees at flowering, and harvest when the head backs turn lemon-yellow.
Overview
Sunflower is a day-neutral oilseed that can be grown across kharif, rabi and spring seasons. It is valued for its quality edible oil.
Two things set it apart: it needs boron for good seed set, and it depends on bees for pollination — both must be managed for a full head.
Climate & season
Sunflower grows over a wide range (about 20–28 °C) and is day-neutral, so it fits many seasons.
- Grown in kharif, rabi and spring depending on region.
- Needs bright sun and moderate temperatures at flowering.
- Avoid extreme heat at seed-fill.
Soil & land preparation
Best on a well-drained loam at pH 6.5–8.0.
- Prepare a fine, level seedbed.
- Mix in 8–10 t/ha farmyard manure.
- Good drainage with steady moisture is ideal.
Choosing a type & seed
Hybrids give the highest, most uniform yields with good oil content. No specific cultivar is named here.
Seed rate
- About 5–8 kg/ha (hybrids at the lower end).
- Sow 4–5 cm deep.
- Aim for an even, full stand.
Seed treatment
- Treat with a recommended fungicide (helps against downy mildew).
- Use fresh, high-vigour seed.
Sowing & spacing
- Sow into a warm, moist, well-drained seedbed.
- Keep rows 60 cm apart.
- Space plants 30 cm within the row.
- Sow 4–5 cm deep; thin to one plant per hill.
- Provide boron where soils are deficient.
Nutrient management
Split the nitrogen; supply boron for seed set and sulphur for oil.
| Input | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Farmyard manure | 8–10 t/ha | Basal |
| Nitrogen (N) split | 60–90 kg/ha | Basal · top-dress at button stage |
| Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | 60 kg/ha | Full basal |
| Potash (K₂O) | 40 kg/ha | Basal |
| Boron key | Apply if deficient | Essential for seed set |
Water management
Keep moisture steady through the reproductive stages.
- Most critical at bud (button), flowering and seed filling.
- Never let the crop stress at flowering.
- Avoid waterlogging.
Weed management
- The first 45 days are the critical weed-free period.
- Use a recommended pre-emergence herbicide with one intercultivation.
- Earth up while weeding for stem support against lodging.
Plant protection
| Problem | Type | Watch for | Manage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head / capitulum borer | Pest | Caterpillars boring into the developing head | Pheromone traps, Bt or recommended insecticide at flowering |
| Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera) | Pest | Stripped leaves | Handpick, recommended insecticide if severe |
| Jassids | Pest | Yellowing, cupped leaves | Conserve natural enemies; spray only if needed |
| Downy mildew | Disease | Pale leaves, white growth beneath; stunting | Treated seed, tolerant types, rogue affected plants |
| Alternaria leaf spot | Disease | Dark spots on leaves | Rotation, recommended fungicide |
| Head rot / necrosis virus | Disease | Rotting heads; ringspots and necrosis | Drainage, manage thrips, remove affected heads |
- Sow treated seed of a tolerant hybrid.
- Protect the developing head from borers at flowering.
- Support pollination while timing any spray for early morning to spare bees.
- Spray only at the threshold, following the label.
Use crop-protection inputs responsibly
Time any flowering-stage spray for early morning or evening to protect bees. Read the label, use the recommended dose, wear protective gear while spraying, and strictly observe the pre-harvest (waiting) interval before picking — on crops harvested repeatedly this matters at every picking. Prefer cultural and biological methods first and spray only when monitoring shows it is needed.
Harvesting & yield
Harvest when the back of the head turns lemon-yellow to brown and the seeds are hard, generally 90–110 days.
- Cut heads, dry well, then thresh and clean the seed.
- Yields of about 1.5–2.5 t/ha are achievable.