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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 #79509
Title: ROWSPACING, POPULATION AND HYBRID EFFECTS ON OILSEED SUNFLOWER CHARACTER EXPRESSION

Author
item JOHNSON, B - NDSU
item ZARNSTORFF, M - NDSU
item Miller, Jerry

Submitted to: Proceedings Sunflower Research Workshop
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Researcher and grower interest in sunflower production at narrower rowspacings was initially raised by the possibility of greater yield. Recent development of airseeder planters that enable producers to plant sunflower without purchasing additional rowcrop equipment, coupled with potential yield advantages, has renewed interest in narrow rowspacing production. Rowspacings investigated in this experiment were 15, 31, 46 and 76 cm with populations being 44, 54, and 64 thousand plants per hectare. Two oilseed hybrids were selected to represent an earlier flowering hybrid and a later flowering hybrid. All characters were influenced by rowspacing at Casselton, ND, where later season moisture was more favorable for plant growth and development. Flowering and height decreased as rowspacing decreased. Yield was greatest at the 31 cm rowspacing. Seed oil concentration was not affected greatly by rowspacing. Yield advantages at narrow rowspacings become more apparent under better growing conditions; however, effective weed control practices will need to be implemented that would exclude cultivation. These results indicate that producers without row crop planter equipment can effectively plant and produce sunflower.

Technical Abstract: Researcher and grower interest in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production at narrower rowspacings was initially raised by the possibility of greater yield. Recent development of airseeder planters that enable producers to plant sunflower without purchasing additional rowcrop equipment, coupled with potential yield advantages, has renewed interest in narrow rowspacing production. Rowspacings investigated in this experiment were 15, 31, 46 and 76 cm with populations being 44, 54, and 64 thousand plants per hectare. Two oilseed hybrids were selected to represent an earlier flowering hybrid and a later flowering hybrid. All characters were influenced by rowspacing at Casselton, ND, where later season moisture was more favorable for plant growth and development. Flowering and height decreased as rowspacing decreased. Yield was greatest at the 31 cm rowspacing. Seed oil concentration was not affected greatly by rowspacing. Yield advantages at narrow rowspacings become more apparent under better growing conditions; however, effective weed control practices will need to be implemented that would exclude cultivation. These results indicate that producers without row crop planter equipment can effectively plant and produce sunflower.