In the last few years, agricultural producers in the Nišava district have increasingly decided to properly sow sunflower seeds. A few years ago, the areas under sunflower were minimal, with only six hectares, mostly in the municipality of Aleksinac. Currently, sunflower is grown on about 500 hectares in this district.
The increase in sunflower area can be attributed to several factors. According to Saša Stanković, advisor at PSSS Niš, the sunflower crops in the Nišava district are now in the stages of full flowering and the beginning of milk maturity. Favorable rainfall at the beginning of the growing season contributed to good plant development, and the last rainfall from twenty days ago further improved the condition of the crops. The sunflower is in good condition and can withstand the extreme conditions that currently exist.
Oh yes – sunflower!
The quality of agrotechnical measures, such as fertilizing, sowing and weed protection, is key to achieving good sunflower yields. The average yields of sunflowers in the Nišava district are around 2.5 tons per hectare, while in the Aleksinac region the yields are up to 3-3.5 tons per hectare. If sunflower receives an additional 20 mm/m2 of rain during seeding, yields could be excellent. However, rains during ripening that interfere with grain quality and harvest are not favorable. Sunflower yields are lower compared to wheat and corn, but a more favorable price on the market and better agricultural techniques contribute to the increase of the area under this crop.
Sunflower has become a significant part of livestock feed. It is often used in a two-field crop rotation together with corn and wheat, for example. And together with alfalfa and other leguminous fodder plants, it forms an important field crop. Soil cultivation for sowing wheat after sunflower is easier than after corn, and sowing can be done with reduced soil cultivation. Also, the high price of sunflower two years ago contributed to its increased cultivation. The sunflower is known for its tolerance to drought and high temperatures, which makes it suitable for production in conditions such as those present in recent days.
Source: Good morning
Source: boljazemlja.com
