By: Miranda Sanjenbam
Extension Inspector, Coffee Board of India (N.E)
The Helianthus annuus, also known as “Surajmukhi” in India, is a significant component of that nation’s botanical environment. It has been used as an ornamental plant since ancient times, although it was only introduced into the category of oilseed crops in 1969. In 1972, the first commercial harvests of it were made. Currently, the Indian agricultural landscape recognises the sunflower as a promising oilseed crop. It is the third most widely grown annual oilseed crop in the world. It boasts a remarkable adaptability to various environmental conditions, a short development cycle, insensitivity to photo-periodism, arid resistance, high yield potential, and the capacity to produce high-quality oil. As a result, it has gained immense popularity in India’s agricultural landscape, spreading from southern states to northern regions.
In India, sunflower was first cultivated as an oilseed crop in 1969, particularly in the state of Karnataka. But it wasn’t until the introduction of open-pollinated cultivars from the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) in 1972 that the cultivation of sunflowers on a big scale began. Up until the middle of the 1980s, the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh were the main locations for sunflower production. Sunflower increasingly gained popularity in northern states and was able to be introduced into diets because of its relatively quick-growing cycle and the creation of hybrid variants The genus Helianthus and family Compositaeare thehome of the sunflower. The Greek words heliouas, which means “sun,” and anthos, which means “flower,” are combined to form the genus Helianthus. The Helianthus genus has roughly 264 different species. Helianthus annuus var. macro carpus refers to commercial cultivars produced for seed.
Sunflower is the most important oilseed crop in India only next to soybean and rapeseed. It is used as a source of edible oil and used as raw material for Agri -based industries. The sunflower seed market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period (2020-2025). The sunflower seed market has witnessed an unprecedented vertical growth in recent years. Sunflower oils as it is considered healthy among edible oils. Hence this boosts the sunflower seed market.
Although sunflowers may be grown on a variety of soils, the optimum soils are those with adequate drainage. With a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0, it thrives in neutral to mildly alkaline soils, however acidic soils are not recommended. Conditions with poor drainage are inappropriate because they make people more vulnerable to fungal illness and lodging. Even though it is a plant native to temperate climate zones, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is very adaptable, having given rise to several cultivars suitable for a wide range of ecological situations. Its geographic range is between 40°S and 55°N, with a considerable concentration of major production operations taking place between 20 and 60°N and 20-40°S. Although sunflowers have been successfully grown up to 2,500 metres above mean sea level, it is important to keep in mind thatoil production peaks below 1,500 metres.
A properly prepared soil with complete pulverisation and no weeds is required for sunflower growth. The mouldboard plough should be used to tiller the soil initially. One to two further ploughing sessions using local ploughs should follow, and then planking should be done. It is essential to start earthling along the rows after sunflower plants have grown to a height of knee height. This procedure acts as a safeguard against the potential lodging of sunflower plants while they are heading, especially in the case of severe winds with high speeds. Before the final ploughing, uniformly distribute 12.5 t/ha of FYM, compost or composted coir pith over the field. Then, use a country plough to push the material into the soil. NPK fertilisers should be applied generally as recommended by a soil test. Follow the general NPK/ha for both irrigated and rain fed crops in the absence of advice from soil tests.Bio fertilizer: Before planting, add 10 packets of Azospirillum, 10 packets of Phosphobacteria, or 20 packets of Azophos (4,000 g/ha) to the soil together with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg of soil.
The plant is capable of year-round cultivation on the Indian subcontinent due to its amazing resistance to temperature and photoperiod changes. Sunflower cultivation may begin at any point during the year, with the exception of subfreezing weather. Following specific agricultural seasons are the best times to sow sunflowers: The Kharif season runs from June to July, the Rabi season from September to October, and the Spring season from December to January. The sunflower crop’s developmental trajectory changes overtime, maturing in around 80 to 90 days during the Kharif season, 105 to 130 days during the Rabi season, and roughly 100 to 110 days during the Spring season. In accordance with soil and climatic circumstances, the seeding, blooming, and seed development stages (i.e., two weeks before and after flowering), irrigation should be applied immediately after sowing, followed by an irrigation on the fourth or fifth day, and afterwards at intervals of 7 to 8 days.
As a crop that is heavily cross-pollinated, sunflowers require a sufficient number of pollinators to guarantee that all of the florets in the capitulum are properly pollinated, resulting in a higher seed set and yield. Sunflower seed germination can be aided by the timely placement of beehives in the field. In Manipur, sunflower cultivation is gaining traction as an alternative crop, particularly after paddy harvest, with the Central Agricultural University (CAU) advocating for its expansion. While some cultivation is already happening, efforts are underway to increase its prevalence across the state. The recent trial/ experiment of Sunflower cultivation in Manipur by some individual and some organisation is found successful. The focus is on reducing edible oil imports and boosting local production. Sunflower cultivation is already taking place in Manipur, with specific areas like the Waithou hill range and Sharam hill being mentioned as locations where it is mainly cultivating The Thoubal district, in particular, has fertile soil and is known for double cropping facilitated by irrigation from the Imphal barrage. The Central Agricultural University (CAU) is actively promoting sunflower farming, recognizing its potential to reduce the state’s dependence on imported edible oil. The state imports significant amounts of edible oil, making sunflower cultivation a viable option to reduce reliance on external sources and boost local production. Sunflower is seen as a good option for cultivation after the paddy harvest, offering an additional income source for farmers.
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