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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #102174
Title: AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF OILSEED SUNFLOWER AT SEVERAL ROW SPACINGS AND PLANT POPULATIONS

Author
item JOHNSON, B - NDSU/PLAT SCIENCES-FARGO
item ZARNSTORFF, M - NDSU/NOCTRL RES EXT/MINOT
item MILLER, JERRY

Submitted to: Proceedings Sunflower Research Workshop
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Air-Seeders, developed initially for large-scale wheat production, now offer traditional wheat producers the ability to plant sunflower without the need of purchasing a row-crop planter. These producers are primarily in new sunflower production regions that have the capability of rapidly expanding the sunflower acreage in the U.S. The search for alternative crops as a replacement for wheat has stimulated interest in sunflower, especially since wheat has been plagued in recent years by severe scab infestations. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of plant density arrangements on oilseed sunflower performance. Results indicated that plant population influences were more apparent in higher yield environments than dryer, lower yield environments. Yield increased as plant population decreased. The 31 cm row spacing produced higher yields than the traditional 76 cm row spacing. This increase was due to better plant spacing, less lodging, and less weed pressure on yield. Seed moisture differences at harvest were not observed in these experiments. In lower yield environments, seed yield was not reduced or increased by narrow row spacings. Even though leaf canopy closure occurred earlier at narrower row spacings and plants provided greater crop competition with weeds, producers would need a higher reliance on post emergence chemical weed control since cultivation is not an option.

Technical Abstract: Air-Seeders, developed initially for large-scale wheat production, now offer traditional wheat producers the ability to plant sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) without the need of purchasing a row-crop planter. These producers are primarily in new sunflower production regions that have the capability of rapidly expanding the sunflower acreage in the U.S. The search for alternative crops as a replacement for wheat has stimulated interest in sunflower, especially since wheat has been plagued in recent years by severe scab (Fusarium graminearum Schalbe) infestations. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of plant density arrangements on oilseed sunflower performance. Results indicated that plant population influences were more apparent in higher yield environ-ments than dryer, lower yield environments. Yield increased as plant population decreased. The 31 cm row spacing produced higher yields than the traditional 76 cm row spacing. This increase was due to better plant spacing, less lodging, and less weed pressure on yield. Seed moisture differences at harvest were not observed in these experiments. In lower yield environments, seed yield was not reduced or increased by narrow row spacings. Even though leaf canopy closure occurred earlier at narrower row spacings and plants provided greater crop competition with weeds, producers would need a higher reliance on post emergence chemical weed control since cultivation is not an option.