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NDSU Sunflower Information

Sunflower with butterfly

SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION

The  "Sunflower Production Guide," NDSU extension publication A1995 includes information about hybrid selection, understanding the growth and development of sunflower plants, field selection and preparation, planting date guidelines, seeding rates, frost tolerance and damage, soil fertility requirements, weed control, insect pest and disease management, drying and storage.

SUNFLOWER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Growth and development of sunflower is mainly driven by growing degree day (GGD) units. GDD for sunflower is calculated as follows: Daily Sunflower GDD = ((Daily Max Temp °F + Daily Min Temp °F)/2) - 44 °F. If the daily maximum or minimum temperature is less than 44 °F the number in the formula is set at 44 °F. Table 1 provides an indication of how many GGD’s are needed to reach the different development stages in sunflower. The GGD’s needed are an estimate and may differ between hybrids and growing conditions. The GGD’s and estimated growth stages can be calculated for any location in ND by using the NDAWN sunflower GGD and growth stages model. Location and planting date can be selected to calculate local GGD’s and estimate of growth stage of the crop

Table 1. Selected Growth stages and GGD associated with plant development.

Growth Stage

Description of growth stage

Accumulated GGD

V10

Vegetative sage with 10 true leaves

557

V20

Vegetative sage with 10 true leaves

908

R1

Terminal bud miniature floral head

1048

R5.1

Beginning flowering 10% of head area

1609

R6

Flowering complete ray flowers wilting

1889

R 9

Bracts yellow and brown, physiological mature

2310

For stages of sunflower development see publication A1145

SUNFLOWER LINKS

All about sunflower FAQ

Fertilizing Sunflowers and Sunflower Nitrogen Calculator

Sunflower, field crops manual

Sunflower Disease Diagnostic Series  and  web version 

Sunflower Production Guide

Sunflower Best Management Practices, SDSU

Sunflower Treated with Avipel Bird Repellent (2008)

 

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