Volume 44, Issue 74

The emergence of new broomrape populations (races) has been observed in the past 20 years in several countries (Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Serbia, and China) where sunflower is frequently grown in the same sites without applying traditional crop rotations. Differential lines for sunflower broomrape races A to F have been secured. The new broomrape races have been identified by researchers as races G and H. The question of whether the same broomrape mutations can occur in one year and affect the same countries remains unsolved. Several results of new broоmrape population emergences in some of the affected will be presented in the paper. A total of 390 genotypes were studied at four Romanian localities (Cuza Voda, Crucea-Stupina, Braila-Valea Canepii, and Tulcea-Agighiol) in 2014. At all four localities, a certain degree of sunflower broomrape infestation was observed in control hybrids and lines (Performer, LC-1093, LG-5661, and PR64LE20), which indicated the emergence of new populations higher than race H. The 390 studied genotypes had different reactions in all four localities. In 2015, 10 hybrids and controls were studied at five Romanian localities (Ciresu-Braila, Iazu-Ialomita, Stupina-Constanta, Topolog-Tulcea, and Viziru-Braila) and, according to the results, only hybrid Hy-7 was resistant in all localities. The results obtained from the three studied localities showed the emergence of new sunflower broomrape populations not controlled by gene for race H. Self-fertilization of hybrid Hy-7 produced the F 2 generation in 2016. In 2017, broomrape resistance was studied at the infested (contaminated) plot at the All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops by the name of Pustovoit V.S. – VNIIMK in Rostov on Don. The plot was found to be infested by new broomrape populations originating from Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, and Spain. The obtained results showed an infestation degree in 17.1% plants of hybrid Hy-7, 35% in the F 2 generation of Hy-7, control hybrids PR64LE25, LG-5580 and Donskoy-22 showed 19.4, 23, and 100% broomrape infestation, respectively. In conclusion, the plot contained broomrape populations which cannot be controlled by race H gene. According to the obtained results, a permanent change in variability of broomrape populations can be confirmed practically year after year. At present, new broomrape populations found at several localities are locally dispersed. Geneticists and breeders have to make joint efforts in further detailed studies of broomrape variability.

The experimental material for the present study comprised of 28 inbred lines (including two checks) which were developed by mutation and hybridization among the lines from AICRP trials MARS, UAS, Dharwad and on the basis of SPAD readings and stay green nature, they were considered as drought tolerant lines. These lines were used for the present experiment and were evaluated under both normal and moisture stress condition in rain out shelter to study their root characteristics. Among 28 inbreds evaluated, eight inbred lines i.e. DSR-13, DSR-19, DSR-23, DSR-24, DSR-37, DSR-66, DSR-107 and DSR-132 were identified as drought tolerant nature which exhibited least reduction in their yield under moisture stress condition. Simultaneously hybridization programme was also initiated during summer 2018 using these 28 inbred lines as testers (males) and 5 CMS lines as female lines in Line × Tester fashion. Among 140 hybrids developed, only 40 F 1 hybrid combinations were further analyzed for heterosis and combining ability studies along with four checks RHA 6D-1, RHA 95C-1, KBSH-53 and Cauvery Champ. Most of the hybrid combinations showed significant negative heterosis for flowering indicating earliness, and also all the combinations showed a positive heterosis for plant height indicating tallness dominant over dwarf checks. The combinations CMS 7-1-1 A × DSR-37 (624 kg/ha), CMS-853A × DSR-19 (624 kg/ha), and CMS-853A × DSR-23 (619 kg/ha) exhibited significant maximum heterosis for seed yield (kg ha −1 ) over the checks KBSH-53 (496.50 kg/ha) and Cauvery Champ (486.50 kg/ha) showing maximum seed yield per hectare.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate agronomic performance and oil quality of seven sunflower genotypes at Shandaweel Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Sohag, Egypt during 2018 and 2019 summer seasons. These genetic materials were sown in a randomized complete block design having three replications. Significant genetic variations among evaluated sunflower genotypes for agronomic traits and oil quality were observed. The superior sunflower genotypes were Line 120 for seed yield per hectare (3102.38 kg), Sakha 53 for seed oil content (44.63 %) and Line 125 for oil quality where it contained the highest proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (89.20 %). The phenotypic coefficients of variation were slightly higher than genotypic coefficients of variation for all studied traits. High heritability (exceeded 60%) and genetic advance as percent of mean (ranged from medium to high, exceeded 10%) was observed for most studied traits. Seed yield per plant positively correlated with plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, and 100-seed weight and most chemical traits at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Maximum phenotypic direct effects on seed yield per plant were observed for 100-seed weight, head diameter and total unsaturated fatty acids. While, the highest genotypic direct effect on seed yield per plant was observed for head diameter. Hence, most studied traits could be employed as selection criteria for improving evaluated sunflower genotypes.

The investigation was carried out during 2014–2016 in the land of General Toshevo town in the South Dobrudzha region on slightly leached chernozem soil type. The effect of the types of soil tillage for sunflower given bellow was followed: ploughing at 24–26 cm, chisel-plough at 24–26 cm, disking with disk harrow at 10–12 cm and direct sowing (no-tillage) on the soil moisture content. Based on bulk density, wilting point and the determined soil moisture content the plant-available water was calculated. The additional soil tilths of the areas subjected to ploughing, chisel-ploughing and disking with disc harrow included double spring pre-sowing cultivation with harrowing. To destroy the emerging weeds in the variant with direct sowing, a total herbicide was applied. The soil moisture content was evaluated during three main stages of sunflower development: emergence, flowering and technical maturity. The investigated parameter was determined for each of the studied layers – 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–60 cm. In years with normal amounts of rainfalls, no significant differences in the soil moisture under the different ways of soil tillage were observed. Conventional ploughing and tillage without turning of the soil layer contributed to accumulation of more moisture and to higher moisture storage down the soil profile under heavy and intensive rainfalls. Tillage without turning of the soil layer, minimal and no tillage maintained more and better soil moisture in years with limited precipitation and in periods of drought.

In a two year experiment carried out on the organic research plots of the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Nigeria. Two liquid organic fertilizers (ARATI NAWOZ {2.01% N} and ARATI BAJA {1.01% N}) and control were applied to four sunflower varieties (SAMSUN 1, SAMSUN 2, SAMSUN 3 and SAMSUN 4) during the late cropping season (July – Nov.) of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate their agronomic response. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design using a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement in three replicates. Data were collected on plant height at maturity, head diameter and weight, weight and number of seeds per head, 100 seed weight and seed yield. The varietal effect was significant ( P  <  0.05 ) on head diameter and weight, and number and weight of seeds per head, and seed yield in 2016. However, during the markedly dry 2017, the varietal effect was not significant for any trait measured. Foliar application of ARATI NAWOZ significantly ( P  < 0.05) increased height at maturity, the weight of seeds and head per plant and seed yield relative to the control in both years. Significant Variety × Fertilizer interaction effect was also recorded on the height at maturity, head diameter and weight, and seed yield in 2016. SAMSUN 4 (975.6 kg/ha) produced significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher seed yield than SAMSUN 1 (789.82 kg/ha) and SAMSUN 2 (778.54 kg/ha) in 2016. The efficacy of the application of both fertilizers was on par for most traits in both years. On average, the application of organic fertilizers resulted in a 15.76 and 69.02% increase in seed yield relative to the control in 2016 and 2017, respectively. ARATI NAWOZ and ARATI BAJA appeared promising for sunflower production in the humid tropics.

Popular food products can be used in regional branding. Names and trademarks of 56 Russian producers of sunflower oil, which is nationally high-demanded culinary oil, are analyzed to find indications of regions. The regional affinity is classified and scored. It is found that about a half of the considered producers indicate region of location in their names and/or trademarks. Often, regions are considered directly, although some producers mention them in unclear or allegoric ways. Many region-concerned producers concentrate in the Altai, Rostov, and Krasnodar regions. These findings indicates on the urgency of support of the region-related naming by regional administrations and professional associations.

Moldova is one of the 15 largest sunflower growing countries. In the past decades, significant changes have been implemented in Moldovan farming due to the liberalization of the agricultural economy after its independence in 1991 and the transition to a market economy, as well as uncontrolled land use. The impact of such changes on production remains mostly unexplored. To determine which factors impede the attainment of higher yields and whether this problem can be solved by conducting further research to improve and manage the sunflower cultivation or by improving the efficiency of farmers’ support systems, the current situation of sunflower production in Moldovan farms was investigated. In this context, the databases of the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova and the Food and Agriculture Organization were analyzed and farmers’ surveys in different locations across the Republic of Moldova were conducted. The data related to the dynamics of sunflower production, yield and the surface of sunflower growing area, as well as of applied agricultural practices have been accumulated. It has been established the significant expansion of sunflower cultivated area which was leading to (i) considerable exploitation of land where sunflower is cultivated; (ii) failure of crop rotations; (iii) the accumulation of various pathogens. Some solutions to redress the situation have been proposed.

The analysis of the production and yield of sunflower seeds in Ukraine for the period from 2000 to 2019 was conducted in the article. The comparative analysis of the gross harvest of sunflower seeds and the export of sunflower oil for the years under research was carried out. The dependence of exports on gross harvest was revealed and its share was calculated. It was determined that the export of sunflower oil has increased over the years under research, which indicates a significant Ukraine’s export potential. It was found that the increase in the share of exports by 15.9% was made possible by a qualitative change in yield, that was ensured by the changes in the cultivation technology and by the selection of sunflower hybrids that are better adapted to climate changes. The recommendations for further improvement of cultivation technology in connection with climate change in order to further increase yields and the export potential of Ukraine were given.