Sunflower cultivation
Sunflower is a familiar flower. Its oil is unique in meaning. Due to its huge demand all over the world, commercial cultivation of sunflower started in this country in the sixties. At present it is being cultivated extensively in different districts including Rajshahi, Jessore, Kushtia, Natore, Pabna, Dinajpur, Gazipur, Tangail.
Use of sunflower
A) Sunflower seeds are fed to poultry as fodder.
B) Oil is extracted by threshing in this seed machine Sunflower is widely cultivated in different countries of the world as a source of oil.
C) Sunflower oil, also known as vegetable oil, is used as an alternative to ghee.
D) Sunflower oil is better than other cooking oils and is quite effective for heart patients. Cholesterol levels are very low. It also contains vitamins A, D and E.
E) The best source of Vitamin-E is the seeds of this sunflower.
F) Vitamin-E has many beneficial aspects. Vitamin E acts as a free radical resistant or antioxidant.The potency of vitamin E includes two more properties that play a significant role in heart disease. These two properties are to prevent inflammation and help in the growth of smooth muscle cells.The ability of muscle tissue to produce cells as well as its anti-inflammatory properties prevent these blood vessels from narrowing. Vitamin E is also known to have anti-cancer properties.
During cultivation
Sunflower cultivation is mainly done in Agrahayan in the hope of getting good yield. Sunflower can be cultivated throughout the year. However, the best time to cultivate is in the month of Agrahayan. The temperature in the northern and western parts of the country is 15 degrees Celsius. If it is below this, seeds should be sown after 10-12 days. It can also be cultivated in Kharif-1 season i.e. Jaistha (mid-April to mid-May).
Land ready
Sunflower land is to be cultivated deeply. The land should be plowed 4-5 times and the soil should be plowed with a ladder.
Variety selection
The Kirni (DS-1) variety was invented in 1972 by selection from germplasm. This species grows to 90-110 cm. Is tall. Seed weight is 70-75 grams per thousand. The seeds are long and flat in shape and black in color.Each tree has one flower. It takes about three months to collect the crop after sowing the seeds. Yield is up to 1.5 tons per hectare. It takes about 90-100 days to collect the crop. Learn the method of Baromasi mango cultivation.
Sowing method and seed rate
Sunflower seeds are sown in rows for commercial cultivation. Seeds are sown at a distance of 5050 in rows and 2525 in columns. It requires 8-10 kg of seed per hectare.
Fertilizer application
Approximate amount of fertilizer per acre
Urea 450-500 kg,
TSP 360 kg,
MP 300-360 kg,
Gypsum 350,
Zinc sulphate 20 kg,
Boric acid 25 kg,
Magnesium sulphate 230-250 kg.
Harvesting
It takes 90 to 110 days to mature after sowing.
