No-till sunflower oil production

• Use of quality seeds of improved varieties is an important input for high productivity. • Presently, nearly 70-80 per cent of the crop area is covered by hybrids. • Most of the hybrid seeds is imported from and there is no locally established sunflower hybrids in the country. • Many unscrupulous producers sell seeds of poor quality to unsuspecting farmers leading to poor crop and yields. • Likewise, with varieties, farmers tend to continuously use their own seeds leading to deterioration in the quality of seed. • Although adequate quantity of breeder seed is produced, due to poor seed multiplication chain, the amount of certified seeds produced is not adequate. • The very advantages/merits associated with sunflower have in fact worked against the crop leading to poor productivity levels. • The crop has been taken to marginal and sub-marginal lands of all types where it is possible to provide favourable environment for high productivity. • Likewise, because of photo-insensitivity of the crop, we find the planting of crop by farmers at all times of the year in some areas which again is not ideal. • Despite photo-insensitivity of crop, there are certain limits within which the crop needs to be planted for high yields. • Crop management practices are major production constraints specially under rainfed conditions. • It is always a common sight to find crowded plants stands of sunflower on farmer's fields. • Due to poor quality seeds or insufficient moisture, gaps are observed which lead to sub-optimum yield levels. • If the germination is normal, with recommended seed rate one can expect at least 50 per cent more plants than the recommended plant stand. • These excess plants need to be thinned in time which is normally not done by many farmers leading to low yields. • Likewise, many times proper spacing, timely weed control are not followed which again reduce the yield levels.