Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Mant (Latin America); Abbad ash-shams (Arabic);
Surajmukhi, Suryamukhi (Hindi); Elmer Mekhay (Pashtu); Farenji Suf (Ethiopia);
Both the sunflower and its close relative the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus
tuberosum) are native to temperate America, either Peru or Mexico, and were used
by the Indians as food plants; their seeds have been found in an archaeological site
dated 2000–3000 years old. These days sunflowers are grown widely, from the
equator to as far North as 55°N.
The plant is an annual, a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family, and
boasts a massive tap root that can penetrate down to 3 metres.
There are three main types: Giant (1.8–4.2 m tall), Semi-dwarf (1.35–1.8 m tall)
and Dwarf (0.6–1.35 m tall). The giant types are generally late maturing and have
low oil content. The dwarf types have the highest oil content, more than 50% with
improved varieties.
The oil is classified as being “semi-drying”, polyunsaturated with a high
percentage of linoleic acid. Protein content of the grain varies from about 13 to 27%.
Both the leaves and flower heads are heliotropic ie they respond to the direction
of the sun’s movements.
The flowers are pollinated by insects and there should be plenty of bees and
other insects at flowering time in order to set seed properly.
Many of the cultivated plants do not grow true from seed and will eventually
revert back to the wild type plants after a few generations.
Sunflowers are one of the most important oil crops, and according to FAO were
grown on 21 million hectares throughout the world in 2004. They are widely grown
in Russia, and in Rumania, Bulgaria, China, France, USA, Canada and South
America, particularly Argentina. FAO estimated a global production of 26.1 million
MT in 2004.
PLANTING
Propagation: by seed. Only grains that are full and fat should be used as seed,
which can remain viable for several years if it is carefully dried and stored.
Sunflowers can be grafted onto their close relative the perennial Jerusalem
artichoke, Helianthus tuberosum.
Soil: sunflowers can grow on most soils and need less fertile conditions than maize.
The plants are fairly salt tolerant, but will not survive in either very acid soil (they
have “intermediate tolerance” to acidity) or waterlogged soil.
The crop responds well to phosphatic fertilisers, but high nitrogen levels should
generally be avoided.
Seed rate: 4.5–15 kg/ha for grain, 35–40 kg/ha for silage. There are about 6000–
20,000 seeds per kg.
Utolo (Angola—“Utolo” is also used to describe sesame)
GROWING FOOD – THE FOOD PRODUCTION HANDBOOK 201
Tournesol, Soleil (French); Sonnenblume (German); Girasol (Spanish & Portuguese);