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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #136342
Title: SUNFLOWER PLANTING DATE MAY AFFECT OLEIC ACID CONTENT

Author
item ASHLEY, ROGER - DICKINSON RES EXT CTR
item Miller, Jerry

Submitted to: North Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Bulletin
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2002
Publication Date: 5/23/2002
Citation: ASHLEY, R., MILLER, J.F. SUNFLOWER PLANTING DATE MAY AFFECT OLEIC ACID CONTENT. NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION BULLETIN. CROP AND PEST REPORT. 2002. V. 4. P. 4.

Interpretive Summary: The oleic fatty acid concentration in sunflower seed is influenced by temperature during maturation and is inversely related to the linoleic fatty acid concentration. NuSun sunflower, producing a mid-oleic fatty acid concentration, is in great demand as a frying oil. However, industry has put a minimum of 55% oleic acid concentration in seed for buying sunflower with the NuSun quality. This study indicates that either very early or very late plantings of a NuSun sunflower hybrid will result in harvested seed not meeting that minimum. Therefore, recommendations made to producers are that NuSun hybrid sunflower hybrids should not be planted in April or after mid-June in order to meet the minimum requirement of 55%.

Technical Abstract: The oleic fatty acid concentration in sunflower seed is influenced by temperature during maturation and is inversely related to the linoleic fatty acid concentration. NuSun sunflower, producing a mid-oleic fatty acid concentration, is in great demand as a frying oil. However, industry has put a minimum of 55% oleic acid concentration in seed for buying sunflower with the NuSun quality. This study indicates that either very early or very late plantings of a NuSun sunflower hybrid will result in harvested seed not meeting that minimum. Therefore, recommendations made to producers are that NuSun hybrid sunflower hybrids should not be planted in April or after mid-June in order to meet the minimum requirement of 55%.