Sunflower Helianthus annuus L. History

1
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.History

• Native to the Americas
• Signs of early cultivation around 2000 BC
• In Tennessee and San Anrés
• The Incas used it as image of the Sun God
• Seeds and golden images brought to Europe in the
  16th century
• State Flower of Kansas
• Russia is now the leading producer

2
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Identification

• Sunflower stems are large and rough
• Up to 10-12 tall
• Sunflower seeds are actually the fruit
• Actual seeds are incased in an inedible husk
• Oil seed varieties are smaller and black
• In the bud stage they exhibit heliotropism
• Flowers move to track the sun
• Stems stiffen with the blooming stage

3
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.History

• Leaves
• Ovate
• Rough
• Up to 12 long

• Heads
• Composite
• Numerous florets
• Large
• Up to 12 across
• Yellow

4
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Properties

• Confectionary varieties
• Striped hulls
• Larger
• Lower oil content
• Oil varieties
• Black
• Smaller
• Up to 50 oil

5
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Uses

• Confectionary
• Roasted and marketed as snack food
• Processed to an alternative to peanut butter
• Whole oil seeds
• Bird Seed

• Oil
• Food grade oil
• Varieties developed for health markets
• Carrier
• Paints and finishes
• Biodiesel
• Meal from extraction
• 28-41 CP (varies with amount of hulls included)

6
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Production

• Long season annual
• 120 day growing season
• Heavy water users
• Very frost susceptible
• Generally requires fertilizer

7
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Production seed
preparation

• Planted in early May to mid June
• Soil temp of 45
• Seeded about 1-2 deep
• Moist soil bed important
• Plant for 14,000-25,000 plants/acre
• Varies with seed size and irrigation

8
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Production risk
managment

• Poor competitors with weeds for 3-4 weeks
• Tillage and some herbicides approved
• Susceptible in insect loss
• Insecticides approved
• Birds can also cause economic loss
• Cultural practices and scaring of birds
• Some varieties less susceptible (dropping heads)
• Cool wet years increase disease
• 4 year rotation suggested

9
SunflowerHelianthus annuus L.Production Harvest

• Generally harvested in September
• Mature when backs of heads turn yellow
• Seeds may not be dry enough for harvest
• Harvest when seed moisture is 25
• Can be treated to dry
• Small grain combines can be adjusted for
  sunflower combining