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Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

High-growing ornamental varieties with more numerous smaller flowers and shorter varieties for oil extraction, with a single flower head.

Distribution, Yield, Use:

Production (1000t) Yield (dt/ha)

Country	1979-81	1992	1979-81	1992
ex-USSR	4900	5500	11.4	11.4
Argentina	1100	3800	9.3	15.2
Rumania	850	800	16.3	12.6
China	850	1050	10.9	14.0
Turkey	650	950	12.6	13.5
World	14500	21600	11.6	12.2

• Distribution:
  Main production areas are southern ex-USSR, Argentina, the Balkans, China and France. Modest soil and water requirements.
• Use:
  - cooking oil
  - Industrial raw material (oil, cellulose)
  - Poultry and animal feeds (seeds, pressing residues, green material).
  Seeds contain 20-40% protein, 40-65% oil, comprising up to 80% linoleic acid (C18:2)

Region of origin: Region of cultivation:

• Cultivation and Breeding:
  The sunflower originates from the arid North American regions. Although the indigenous Indians used the oil-rich seeds for thousands of years, its significance as an oil source was only rediscovered in southern Russia in 1830. The seed oil content can range from 30% to more than 50%. For cooking oils, varieties rich in linoleic acid are required, whereas for technical purposes a higher oleic acid content is important.
• Breeding aims:
  Priorities include increasing seed yield and oil content, reducing the seed coat and improving the oil quality. Early ripening, fungal-resistant hybrid varieties should contribute to wider distribution. For the purpose of animal feed, high-growing, leafy soft-haired varieties are required.

Text by Wolfgang Schuchert
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler