Dwarf sunflower

Sunwheat is a dwarf hybrid of sunflower, having leaves and heads of similar size to other hybrids, but short (96-120 cm). Ripening time is 100-110 days, and the oil content is slightly lower than that of Sunola. It is appropriate for cultivation in barren areas and has a higher resistance to extreme-heat summer periods. 

Majid, H.R. and Schneiter, A.A. (1987) Yield and quality of semi-dwarf and standard height sunflower hybrids grown at five plant populations. Agron. J., 80, 821-824. 

The sunflower is native to the Americas but was introduced into Europe in the 16th Century (Putt, 1978). It is now widely exploited (Table 3.120) as an annual field crop taking 4 months to mature, 70 days for dwarf varieties. 

Modem sunflower varieties are potentially high-yielding, semi-dwarf varieties with a requirement from drilling to harvest of 1300 to 1400 aeeumulated day degrees (over abase of 6 °C). They are produced in a similar way to maize hybrids, by using male sterility and restoring gene technique. 

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