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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 #234415
Title: Effect of seeding date and N rate on sunflower yields, oil content and composition

Author
item ZHELJAZKOV, V - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item Vick, Brady
item BALDWIN, B - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item BUEHRING, N - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item EBELHAR, W - DELTA RES EXT CTR
item ASTATKIE, T - NOVA SCOTIA AGRIC COLLEGE
item HORGAN, T - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item JOHNSON, BILLY - COASTAL PLAIN EXP STATION

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/3/2008
Publication Date: 1/30/2009
Citation: Zheljazkov, V.D., Vick, B.A., Baldwin, B.S., Buehring, N., Ebelhar, W., Astatkie, T., Horgan, T., Johnson, B. 2009. Effect of Seeding Date and N Rate on Sunflower Yields, Oil Content and Composition [abstract]. 2009 Southern Associaton of Agricultural Scientists Convention, January 31 - February 3, 2009, Atlanta, GA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is not a commonly grown crop in southeastern US. However, recent research has demonstrated the potential for sunflower to be grown as a cash crop in the region. Field experiment was conducted in 2007 to evaluate the effect of N (0, 67, 134, and 202 kg ha-1), seeding date (May, June, and July), and hybrid (DKF3875, DKF2990, DKF3510 and DKF3901) on seed yield, oil content, and oil composition of sunflower grown at five locations in Mississippi (Newton, Starkville, Stoneville, and two locations in Verona). Overall, the first seeding date was the most successful and resulted in relatively good seed yields from all sunflower varieties in all locations. Yields and oil content and composition from the second seeding date were acceptable. Due to the drought conditions in early summer, the third seeding date did not establish in some locations, and the yields were low. Oil content and composition was mostly affected by hybrid and seeding date than by the N application rate. In general, higher N rates resulted in lower seed oil concentration but in increased seed yields. The results from this study indicated that the tested sunflower hybrids can be a viable crop in most parts of Mississippi for production of cooking oil or biodiesel. Further research may be needed to establish the optimal seeding rate for various sunflower hybrids and for a better weed control in sunflower in southeastern US.