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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 #87972
Title: NARROW ROW SEEDING OF NON-OIL SUNFLOWERS

Author
item ZARNSTORFF, M - NDSU
item JOHNSON, B - 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: There has been tremendous interest in the past few years in the use of narrow rows for confection sunflower production. Much of this interest has come from a desire by producers to more fully utilize the new air- drill seeding equipment. Little or no information is available on how confection sunflower may respond to narrow rows. Rowspacings investigated in this experiment were 6, 12, 18, and 30 inches with populations being 14,000, 18,000, and 22,000 plants per acre. Two hybrids were utilized and the experiment was planted at two locations, Minot and Casselton, ND. Rowspacing was the major factor affecting confection sunflower character istics at Casselton. Height was tallest in the 30 inch rows and shortest in the 6 inch rows. Head diameter increased in plants in the 6 inch rows. Yields for sunflower seeded in 12 inch rows were 19.8% higher than those from 30 inch rows. Precipitation at Minot was very low during August and September, resulting in no difference between row spacings of the charac- teristics. The most important information obtained from the study indicated that narrow rows could be utilized very effective in sunflower with no deleterious effects.

Technical Abstract: There has been tremendous interest in the past few years in the use of narrow rows for confection sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production. Much of this interest has come from a desire by producers to more fully utilize the new air-drill seeding equipment. Little or no information is available on how confection sunflower may respond to narrow rows. Rowspacings investigated in this experiment were 6, 12, 18, and 30 inches with populations being 14,000, 18,000, and 22,000 plants per acre. Two hybrids were utilized and the experiment was planted at two locations, Minot and Casselton, ND. Rowspacing was the major factor affecting confection sunflower characteristics at Casselton. Height was tallest in the 30 inch rows and shortest in the 6 inch rows. Head diameter increased in plants in the 6 inch rows. Yields for sunflower seeded in 12 inch rows were 19.8% higher than those from 30 inch rows. Precipitation at Minot was very low during August and September, resulting in no difference between row spacings of the characteristics. The most important informa- tion obtained from the study indicated that narrow rows could be utilized very effective in sunflower with no deleterious effects.