Obtaining the best results in growing sunflower plants

3 Obtaining the best results in growing sunflower plants 

Like most other crops, certain conditions must be met in order to obtain a good yield of sunflower plants, for example  

Crop rotation requirements for sunflower plants are no different from those of other crops. Plant breeders do not generally recommend short-sequence rotation for sunflower crops. Monoculture or a short-sequence rotation tends to increase the number of soil borne diseases that affect the plants. Appropriate crop rotation reduces insect damage, improves weed control, disease control, and improves yield (Balmey et al. 1997). However, crop rotation does not reduce infestation from migratory insects. 

The availability of proper nutrients in the soil is important for the sunflower plant. Besides carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), there are at least a dozen other elements that are essential for proper nourishment of 

Virgin soil can be rich in nutrients but at levels that may not be optimal. The soil should therefore be tested for its nutrient content before planting seeds. Nutrients are depleted with repeated production of crops and hence it is important to monitor the concentration of nutrients in the soil and supplement them as required (Seiler 1986). In most third-world countries fertilizer application and irrigation are costly and, sometimes, impossible. 

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